NZAF Awards Human Rights Leader

MEDIA RELEASE:Â 15 MAY 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NZAF Awards Human Rights Leader

The New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) announces that NZAF Life Membership will be awarded to Richard Tankersley, a Takatāpui Tāne leader and the first Takatāpui Human Rights Commissioner on Sunday, 15 May 2009 in Christchurch.

Tankersley is Kai Tahu and lives in Christchurch, Te Wai Pounamu. "Richard's commitment to Takatāpui Tāne, human rights and the mission of the NZAF has contributed tremendously to the ongoing development of an HIV resilient New Zealand. His vision, experience and compassion have spanned more than twenty years" says Mark Henrickson, NZAF Board Chair. "The NZAF fully supported Richard's appointment as a Human Rights Commissioner in September 2008; we are very pleased to recognise his tremendous contribution to our mission".

NZAF Life Memberships are awarded to exceptional individuals who have positively enhanced and substantially contributed to the NZAF mission over a significant period of time. The recipients are nominated by NZAF members and selected by the Board according to the criteria.

Tankersley has been an active and long-term supporter of the NZAF. When he joined the Christchurch Support Network in the mid 1980's, he was one of the first people in New Zealand to volunteer to help stop HIV. Tankersley was employed part-time by the NZAF as a Prevention Projects Coordinator in 1991 and 1992. After funding cuts disestablished the position, he continued to support the NZAF in a voluntary capacity. Tankersley was a valued supporter of the Ettie Rout Clinic (now NZAF South/Te Toka) and of many HIV-specific public events such as the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt project and the annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. In many of these events he offered guidance on the tikanga and led with the appropriate respect and recognition needed.

Tankersley has been one of the primary leaders for Takatāpui tane as the NZAF has sought to develop its relationship to the Treaty and with biculturalism. He played a pivotal role in setting up the NZAF national Hui for Takatāpui Tāne in 1995 and was nominated by national Takatāpui Hui-a-Tau to take one of the positions on the Trust Board where he served as from December 1998 to 2001.

Most recently Tankersley was an external appointee to the Trust Board's Constitutional Review Working Group during 2006 to 2008 and assisted in re-drafting the NZAF Trust Deed. In February 2009 he was one of three people who agreed to act as advisors to the Board in this capacity.

The NZAF Life Membership Award presentation is being developed in consultation with Tankersley's whānau and elders and will be presented in Christchurch Sunday, 15 May 2009.

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