Mr Hamish Taverner, of Palmerston North, ONZM for services to people with learning disabilities
Mr Hamish Taverner is a long-standing advocate for people with learning disabilities. He has conducted research interviews with disabled people, helped assess care homes, and delivered Disability Equality Training. He served on the Disabled Persons Organisation Coalition, working across government to ensure disabled persons’ rights are protected and enhanced. He has held other governance and leadership roles with the Disabled Persons Assembly, IHC, and advisory groups, including for the Ministry of Health, the New Zealand Disability Strategy and the development of policy regarding family and sexual violence. He was the first person with an intellectual disability to Chair the IHC Rangitikei Association committee, and he served on the New Zealand Divisional committee of the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability. Mr Taverner has been involved with Special Olympics as an athlete, leader and advocate.