Ahmed Tani, of Christchurch, ONZM, for services to refugee communities
Ahmed Tani played a key role in founding the Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resource Centre (formerly the Canterbury Refugee Council). He has facilitated multiple projects through the Centre for seniors, women and young people. He helped establish and now chairs the New Zealand National Refugee Association. He is part of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network. He has set up multiple groups and sub-groups for refugees and migrants in Christchurch, in collaboration with other development agencies. He has been instrumental in setting up inter-faith committees in Christchurch. He chairs Immigration New Zealand’s Strengthening Refugee Voices. He is a senior member of the Muslim Association of Canterbury and chairs the organisation’s Election Committee. Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, Mr Tani helped connect people with services and with others in the community.