Mr Duncan Matthews, of Auckland, MNZM for services to rainbow communities
Duncan Matthews was a founding member of Hamilton Pride, celebrating rainbow communities. He has been involved with RainbowYOUTH since 2009, including time as Executive Director. As a Trustee of the Rule Foundation, he has helped increase funding available to rainbow communities across New Zealand. He was Co-Chair of the Ministry of Youth Development’s Partnership Fund Board. He served on the inaugural Auckland Council Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel and as a local Community Organisation Grants Scheme committee member. He was a founding member of the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa. Mr Matthews helped lay the groundwork for the Rainbow Support Collective, connecting peer-led organisations providing services to rainbow communities.