Ms Laurie Hilsgen, of Auckland, Honorary CNZM for services to family carers
Laurie Hilsgen established Carers New Zealand, which provides information, advice and support to New Zealand’s family, whānau and aiga carers. Under her leadership as the Chief Executive, Carers New Zealand has provided support through several national networks. She provides free information to carers as publisher of Family Care Magazine. She developed CareWise, a programme that helps carers to continue working and employers to retain staff. She is the New Zealand representative of the Expert Advisory Panel of APEC Embracing Carers, the International Social Prescribing Collaborative, and the International Alliance of Carer Organisations. Ms Hilsgen helped establish the New Zealand Carers Alliance, which comprises 60 national non-governmental organisations and works with the government to create New Zealand Carers’ Strategy (Mahi Aroha), and serves as Head of the Secretariat.