Shaun Robinson The outgoing Executive Director of the NZ AIDS Foundation was warmly farewelled this evening with speakers praising the work he has done at the organisation over the past five years. Shaun Robinson was appointed to run the NZAF at a time when it was in crisis with internal and external conflicts causing what was acknowledged tonight as causing one if its most fraught periods. Robinson was bought on board to restore stability and cohesiveness and to drive its work forward from a base established by his predecessor. Speakers this evening included the heads of other glbti community organisations, past and present staff and high-profile community leaders from around the country. They praised Robinson for his fearlessness, clarity of purpose and energy. He was congratulated for providing strong leadership and for being approachable, hands-on and inspiring. In reply Robinson said he will always his time at the NZAF as "a highlight of my working life." He said the learning curve as a straight man stepping into a predominantly gay male environment was steep. "There were a lot of thresholds to pass along the way," he laughed, recounting some of the more risque aspects of his education about the sexual habits of gay and bi men. He paid tribute to the "fantastically diverse and talented" people in the organisation who work with the various groups in New Zealand directly affected by the continuing HIV epidemic, mostly men who have sex with men but also the African and Asian communities. Robinson will holiday in Samoa for a week before taking up a new position heading the Mental Health Foundation. His successor has yet to be announced.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 20th May 2016 - 8:46pm