Attitude Awards

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.  Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)

I specifically greet you: John Judge and Dr Jan White, Chairman and Chief Executive respectively of ACC; Hon Ruth Dyson and Lyn Pillay, Members of Parliament; Murray Shaw, Board Member and Jane Wrightson, Chief Executive of New Zealand on Air; Don Judkins, Lion Foundation Ambassador; Hon Mark Gosche, External Relations Manager, Pasifika Development, Manukau Institute of Technology; Robyn Scott-Vincent, Producer, Attitude Pictures Ltd; Members of the Attitude Awards Board, namely, Stacey Roache, Robyn Scott-Vincent, Daniel Buckingham; Distinguished guests otherwise; ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me and my wife Susan to the Attitude Awards, and for giving me the honour of reading the citation for the second person to be inducted into the Attitude Hall of Fame.

I will do that shortly, but would first like to speak briefly about the importance of inclusiveness for people living with disabilities.

The day after tomorrow Friday 3 December, marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  This day has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992 to recognise those who live with a disability.

I have read estimates that more than 660,000 New Zealanders live with a disability and that the number is rising as our population ages.  

Even so, New Zealand has for some time been recognised as an international leader in addressing the needs of those with disabilities.

For one significant example, in recent times in May 2008 I travelled to the United Nations headquarters in New York to receive, on behalf of New Zealand, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award.

That award reflected a sustained commitment on the part of our country towards addressing the needs and wellbeing of its citizens who live with long-term impairment, those born with disabilities and those disabled by injuries or illness.

It also reflected our nation’s commitment to the principle that everyone is born equal in dignity and worth and that everyone is entitled to live lives to the fullest extent of their abilities.

Commitment to this principle can also be seen in the New Zealand Parliament’s formal affirmation of the human rights of those with a disability in the Human Rights Act enacted in 1993.  There have been a number of legislative initiatives since that time, including the appointment of our first Health and Disability Services Commissioner a year later.

Initiatives such as these have allowed avenues for specific complaints to be investigated and addressed, and for awareness of the rights of those who have disabilities to be publicised.

Promoting awareness of the rights and the achievements of those who live with a disability is a hallmark for what Attitude is all about.  This programme, funded through New Zealand on Air, heightens awareness of those people who live with a disability.

I would like to add commendation to Attitude for establishing these awards, with the specific aim of advancing the concept of a more inclusive society by celebrating the achievements of those New Zealanders who live with a disability. 

As the producer, Robyn Scott-Vincent, has said, “Within society there are many awards in so many areas, but so few that celebrate excellence in the disability sector.”

But she has pointed out also that while celebrating excellence, Attitude is committed to showing the everyday lives of people with disabilities.   As she has put it, “People living with disabilities often say they just want to live an ordinary life – with a job, with transport, with friends, with love.” It is to be recalled that most people with disabilities in New Zealand live in the community independently.

Ten years ago, the Government adopted the New Zealand Disability Strategy, which set a new standard for participation by those with disabilities. While much remains to be done, the strategy envisages a society that values highly the lives of people with disabilities.

It is up to all New Zealanders to be active members of that society, and to find ways of extending opportunities to people living with disabilities and embracing those opportunities.
 
It now gives me much pleasure to announce that the second person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is Don McKenzie.  He is a person who has never allowed his disability to hold him back and who has worked tirelessly for those with disabilities and for the community more generally.  His citation reads as follows:-

Don McKenzie was born with limited sight and was seven years old when he lost all sight.  Despite the devastating setback that losing his sight must have been, this very determined youngster set about proving that he could not only deal with his disability, but compete on level terms with his peers.

Don excelled at the School for the Blind in Parnell and went on to become one of its first pupils to have a mainstream education at Auckland Grammar. He then broke new ground again, winning a scholarship to study at the North London School of Physiotherapy and later returned to New Zealand well qualified to set up his own practice in Manurewa. As the practice flourished, Don became well known in the community and influential in his profession and served for many years on local and national physiotherapy associations.

At the same time, despite a busy professional and family life, Don was engaging in active and passionate advocacy for the blind. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind in 1971.

In 1981, Don’s outstanding leadership was recognised when he was made an Officer of the British Empire for services to the blind and to physiotherapy. That was nearly 30 years ago. Don had only just been elected Chairman of the Board for the Foundation for the Blind, as it was then known, a role he has held several times. He oversaw the Foundation’s substantial transformation in 2002 from a volunteer-driven organisation to one governed by its own members. During this time, the Foundation’s focus progressively shifted from providing largely institutional services, to helping the blind find a fulfilling life in the wider community through education and employment.  When he retired as Chair of the Board of Directors in 2009, Don could look back on 50 years’ of service with the Foundation.

During this time, he had still been working in private practice, and contributing to numerous statutory boards, working parties and councils in health, disability and special education.  This equates to years of dedicated and informed participation, driven by the values of equity and fairness and an enormous capacity for listening.

In recent months Don’s life has taken a new turn. A resident of Waiheke Island for the past 11 years, he has just been elected to the Waiheke Local Board of the new Auckland Council, where no doubt his personality, drive and his long experience in governance will help him serve this community.

Tonight we salute and celebrate the extraordinary achievements and leadership of the 2010 inductee to the Attitude Hall of Fame, Mr Don McKenzie.

And on that note of congratulations, I will close in our country’s first language by wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.    No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.