Maori broadcaster and AIDS Foundation Kaumatua Henare Te Ua is to be honoured today with a Lifetime Membership award by the NZAF, in recognition of outstanding contribution to furthering the work of the Foundation. “Henare has been Kaumatua for the Foundation for many years now, and his leadership and guidance in this role has been much valued by us,” says NZAF Michael Stevens. “As well as this, Henare has made an outstanding contribution to our work in his continued efforts to raise the profile of HIV/AIDS in Aotearoa/New Zealand. He has been a voice of understanding, tolerance and a source of accurate information in an area often marred by ignorance, bigotry and fear.” Te Ua, profiled in a recent episode of “Queer Nation”, is joined in honours by Waikato-based Dan Coomey, an employee of the NZAF Hamilton office for nearly ten years. “He has acted as a mentor to many in the gay community in Hamilton and the Waikato region,” says Mr Stevens. “He has been a person known and valued for his trust, discretion and compassion in dealing with the intricate, intimate and difficult issues that many in the gay community face. His contribution to furthering our work has been outstanding.” Ref: GayNZ.com
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 1st December 2003 - 12:00pm