The Venerable Sohim Hay, of Auckland, KSM for services to the Cambodian community
The Senior Venerable Sohim Hay is Abbot of the Wat Khemaraphirataram temple in Randwick Park. He has led fundraising campaigns to construct several new buildings in the temple complex. He has provided guidance and advice to temples in Wellington and Palmerston North. He has created a place of safety for Cambodian New Zealanders to socialise, play sports, and learn about their heritage. He has passed on his skills as a sculptor, aided in a Cambodian Kickboxing school, and set up Khmer language classes. Abbot Hay is currently supporting the development of a multifunctional dining hall in the temple complex.