An Auckland man has been honoured at Government House for services to Maori and the deaf community.
Patrick Thompson, who affiliates with Ngati Paoa and Ngati Whanaunga, received a Queens Service Medal at Government House in Auckland this week.
Mr Thompson has worked for more than 20 years in a variety of roles, including educator, social worker and advocate.
From 2005 to 2007 he helped to develop Project Karere, which used a web camera link to an interpreter to allow deaf speakers of Maori to communicate with others, like health workers.
Mr Thompson was a member of the Reference Group appointed in 2000 to advise the Government on Disability Strategy.
He was also a residential social worker for Kelston Deaf Education Centre and currently works for Kelston Boys High School's Deaf Unit.
