Mr Kevin Nielsen, of New Plymouth, MNZM for services to the community and people with disabilities
Mr Kevin Nielsen was the Chief Executive of Hospice Taranaki for 15 years, advocating tirelessly for increased funding for the Hospice. He played a key role in fundraising to build the in-patient Hospice facility and organised the opening of hospice shops in New Plymouth, Hawera and Stratford. As a Board member of Hospice New Zealand, he strove to ensure the long-term sustainability of hospice services nationally. He was involved with the Disability Working Group while serving on the Taranaki District Health Board. Mr Nielsen helped establish Enabling Good Lives Taranaki and Conductive Education Taranaki Trust and continues to serve as Chair of the New Plymouth Riding for the Disabled.