Pioneer of Development in Pacific Communities is recognised with Honourable Award.

Dr. Margaret Southwick has been paving the way in education and health for Pacific Island students at Whitireia Community Polytechnic since 1986. Her contribution and dedication was recently acknowledged with a Queens Service Medal for her contribution to Pacific Communities.

“It is gratifying enough in itself that someone took the trouble to go through the whole process of nominating me”, says Dr. Southwick. Her nominator is unknown.

Dr. Southwick has had a significant role in the local Pacific Community. She is a trustee of the Maninoa Community Trust which provides Mental Health Care for Porirua people and she often takes on advisory roles to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education on Pacific Health issues.

In 2009 Dr. Southwick returns to her role as Dean of the Faculty of Health, Education and Social Sciences at Whitireia. This is after a successful stint in the Whitireia Futures Project, ‘future proofing’ qualifications.

“This year I hope to continue developing the next generation of leaders – both within the polytechnic and the wider community,” says Dr. Southwick. “It is important to continue the development of health and education within the Pacific community, or all that we have achieved thus far will fall through.”

Dr. Southwick is not only a pioneer of development and change at Whitireia Community Polytechnic but is a role model in the Porirua Community. “Everyone at Whitireia who knows Dr. Southwick knows how deserving she is of this honour” says Chief Executive Don Campbell.

The award ceremony will be held at The Wellington Town Hall, 25 March and medals will be presented by the Governor General.

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