The UCOL Council has announced its Honours Awards to mark the start of the 2016 academic year.
The Awards recognise people who act as role models and inspiration to UCOL students, and reflect UCOL's community connections.
Emeritus Professor Sir Mason Durie FRANZCP, FRSNZ will receive the highest honour of Honorary Fellow for outstanding and distinguished contribution to UCOL, the wider community and society in general.
UCOL Council Chairperson Malcolm Inglis says Sir Mason Durie has contributed to UCOL's Māori Education Strategy. "Sir Mason is most well-known for his contributions to Māori health and the concept of Whare Tapa Whā' - a key framework that underpins UCOL's current Māori Education Strategy; Rourou Aronui."
"He provides invaluable national and global academic leadership for Māori and indigenous development; champions higher education for Māori, and believes in strong Māori leadership."
Honorary Associate awards go out to practicing Whanganui Architect Bruce Dickson recognising his contribution to Whanganui city's heritage look and feel; and Amanda Street, for her leadership of Feilding High Schools' Wearable Art Show Evento. Both have made a significant and distinguished contribution to the life and work of UCOL and/or the wider community of which UCOL is a part.
Institutional Medals will be awarded to Robert (Tweet) Bird, Chair of the Rimutaka Crossing Re-enactment Group; Kevin Ross, former Whanganui District Council Chief Executive; Clare Crawley, Chief Executive of the Cancer Society of NZ Central Districts, and former UCOL Deputy Chief Executive Strategy; Bonnie Dewart, former UCOL Deputy Chief Executive Academic. These medals are awarded to UCOL staff, or persons external to the institution for particularly meritorious service.
"The UCOL Council awards are our way of publicly recognising those who contribute to the life and vibrancy of our communities," Mr Inglis says.
"This year's recipients continue in the tradition set over a few years now of being very worthy of public recognition. We congratulate them all."
The UCOL Council Honours Awards will be conferred at UCOL's upcoming graduation ceremonies in March (Palmerston North 15 and 16 March, Wairarapa March 22, Whanganui March 24).