Sharon Torstonson, of Christchurch, MNZM, for services to the community
Sharon Torstonson is Executive Officer of the Social Equity and Wellbeing Network (SEWN), previously the Council of Social Services in Christchurch. Despite losing all office facilities and records in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Mrs Torstonson led her team in providing essential support and information to non-profit sector organisations to assist them in their work of community recovery and social support. Through SEWN, she is involved with the South Island Public Health Alliance’s collaborative Hauora Alliance project and the Deep South National Science Challenge. She has served on a number of national bodies and has been involved with local organisations such as Christchurch Community House Trust, Q-topia, and Christchurch Community Accounting.