Mrs Heather Lear, QSM, of Auckland, for services to inclusive education
Heather Lear has a background in law and social work and has advocated to the national level for children with learning disabilities, especially communication challenges.
She convenes the Inclusive Education Action Group and has worked as an education advocate with IHC and a Senior Disability Rights Advisor with the Human Rights Commission.
She was parent representative to the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Review of Special Education. She is a member of the collaborative group Education For All.
Mrs Lear held voluntary roles with the Wellington Community Law Centre, Wellington Montessori Preschool Trust, and New Zealand Dyspraxia Support Association.