Ms Shila Nair, of Auckland, MNZM for services to ethnic communities and women
Shila Nair has been pivotal in Shakti’s growth from a local ethnic community organisation in Auckland to an umbrella organisation, Shakti Community Council Inc., with specialist refuges and centres around the country. She completed a Masters Degree in Counselling and works to support the mentally unwell, including survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Her focus has been on supporting Asian, African and Middle Eastern women, and she has advocated for legislation against forced and under-age marriage. She has been on the New Zealand Family Violence Taskforce, the Reference Group to the Social Development Minister developing the Vulnerable Children’s Act, and the Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group