Mrs Suzanne Blakely, QSM, of Christchurch, for services to refugees and ESOL education
Suzanne Blakely began teaching English to Cambodian women and children in 1990 and then started a specialised and targeted English as a Second Language (ESOL) programme for refugee women.
She has spent thousands of hours making resources suitable for learners who are illiterate in their own language and enabling them to travel to class and source childcare.
She supports women to attend appointments, learn to drive and supermarket shop, and find employment.
After the Canterbury earthquakes and terror attacks, she ensured her learners were safe and supported.
Mrs Blakely’s teaching methods have been incorporated into mainstream ESOL teaching nationwide.