Hamilton Teacher Honoured
Hamilton teacher, Denise Hird, has today been honoured for her contribution to education.
She was made an Associate of the country’s largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa at awards ceremony in Wellington.
NZEI Te Riu Roa has 42,000 members and represents teachers and principals in primary schools, teachers in early
childhood education centres, support staff in primary and secondary schools, special education staff in primary and
secondary schools and advisers in the tertiary sector.
The awards were presented by Bruce Adin, NZEI Te Riu Roa National President, at the opening of the union’s 120th Annual
Meeting in Wellington. They are given in recognition of the members contribution to education and the union.
“This award acknowledges a commitment to excellence in education,” says Bruce Adin.
“It is given in recognition for the hard work the member done to support their colleagues and to help the students they
work with.”
Denise Hird, is a senior teacher at Insoll Avenue School in Hamilton. She has taught for 23 years starting her career at
Mangakino School in 1975. For the last 13 years she has taught at Insoll Avenue a decile 1 school with 409 students.
She is a strong advocate for Maori achievement and has a passion for sport. She plays golf, swims and has served as the
president of the Waikato Ruby Supporters Club. Denise was the first woman to be appointed to the Northern Districts
Cricket Board and is a past president of the Hamilton Business and Professional Women’s Club.
She has been a member of NZEI Te Riu Roa throughout her teaching career and has served the union at branch and district
council level.
NOTE: The awards ceremony is at 1pm Sunday September 21.
It is at the Duxton Hotel, Wellington, in The Ballroom on the 6th floor.