Media Release
Wednesday, 20 September 2017
NZNO Award of Honour 2017
At last night’s Annual Conference Awards Dinner, the NZNO Award of Honour was presented. The award is granted biennially. The nomination for Kerri Nuku met the criteria for the award. Ms Nuku was presented with the award of honour last night by NZNO President Grant Brookes.
Grant Brookes pointed out that since the constitutional change to the Kaiwhakahaere role came into effect in 2013 Kerri Nuku has undertaken and developed the co-leadership role.
“She has taken NZNO on a journey towards a greater understanding of the bicultural partnership, the importance of tikanga and preserving the mana of all members,” Grant Brookes said.
“Kerri Nuku’s work on an international level for indigenous nurses in particular and her submissions to parliament on a number of issues have really had an impact,” Grant Brookes said when he presenting the award.
“In her role as Kaiwhakahaere for Te Rūnanga within NZNO, last month Kerri led a hikoi in Auckland to call out to the Government to bring about pay equity for Māori nurses in iwi health provider settings. This was a proud moment for Te Rūnanga in particular.
“Her dedication to NZNO regionally, nationally, internationally, and in particular to the needs and aspiration of Maori workforce has earned the admiration and respect of members throughout the organisation and I warmly congratulate her on the award of honour,” Grant Brookes said.