On this beautiful Wellington afternoon, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a very special event at Government House – the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association’s National Achievement Awards, celebrating the talents and contributions of people with Down syndrome across Aotearoa.
Warmest congratulations to this year’s National Achievement Award recipients – Laetitia Tan, Lily Mae Ivatt-Oakley, and Xervier Doney – whose accomplishments span sport, the performing arts, writing, leadership, and community service.
As Dame Cindy reflected in her remarks: ‘Each of us has our own sense of what makes a life fulfilling – the things we hope to do, the choices we wish to make, the future we imagine for ourselves. Inclusion begins when those hopes are heard and taken seriously.’
The occasion also recognised Linda te Kaat, who was made a Life Member of the NZDSA for more than 20 years of dedication to people with Down syndrome and their families, and Karen Tucker, recipient of the National Volunteer Award.
Another special moment saw the Frances Clarke Award join the national awards for the first time – honouring the memory of a much-loved young Wellingtonian who died aged just three.
Together, these awards were a wonderful celebration of achievement, and of the NZDSA’s 45 years of supporting people with Down syndrome to pursue their ambitions and shape their own futures.
To find more images from the event, please visit the image gallery for the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association 2026 National Achievement Awards.
To read Dame Cindy's speech, please visit Her Excellency's speech for the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association 2026 National Achievement Awards.