Professor Michael O'Brien, of Auckland, ONZM for services to social policy and education
Michael O’Brien is a social policy academic who has taught in social work programmes for 38 years. He was part of the Management Committee of the Child Poverty Action Group and of the expert panel established by the Human Rights Commission on Right to an Adequate Standard of Living. He convened the Inequality and Poverty Group of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services. He helped establish Impact Research New Zealand as an independent research unit. He was a Board member of Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis community development project and Auckland City Mission. He chaired the Welfare Justice Reform Group appointed by Caritas, Benefit Advocacy Coordinators, and Anglican Social Justice Commission. Associate Professor O’Brien’s text ‘Social Policy in Aotearoa New Zealand’ is used extensively in universities and polytechnics.