Deborah Smith, of Auckland, MNZM for services to children and art
Deborah Smith is a respected photographer who has been involved in advocacy and advisory roles within the arts community. In 2008, she co-founded Cloud Workshop, which runs art workshops for bereaved children and those with life-threatening illnesses in their family. She has self-funded and run workshops eight times a year, all free of charge. The workshops have provided a place of respite and a venue for discussion, while also encouraging children to express their ideas through imaginative visual art projects. Ms Smith has also given time to help teenage students with their art portfolios and assist them through difficult times.