Mr Robert Ludbrook, ONZM, of Auckland, for services to family law and children’s rights
Robert Ludbrook is a lawyer who was instrumental in establishing New Zealand’s first Citizens Advice Bureau and introducing free legal advice clinics.
He helped establish Grey Lynn Neighbourhood Law Office, New Zealand’s first community law centre, and the Council for the Single Mother and Child.
He was a member of ACORD (the Auckland Committee on Racism and Discrimination). He helped establish the advocacy service Youth Law in Auckland and remains involved today.
He has worked on adoption reform, assisting voluntary organisations with advocacy, legal advice and representation.
He has lobbied government to facilitate changes to the 1955 Adoption Act, including taking a successful case to the Human Rights Tribunal with Adoption Action.
Mr Ludbrook has published several works on adoption, children and family law matters.