If you’re ever invited to attend an investiture ceremony at Government House it will most likely be on the (limited numbers) invitation of a recipient of a New Zealand Royal Honour. On Wednesday I was delighted to be one of Robyn Hunt’s guests, along with her friend Wendi Wicks and family members to witness her receiving the insignia of a Companion of the King’s Service Order.

I was acutely aware that I was also representing many others and immensely proud that Robyn was being recognised in this way.

Robyn received her honour from the Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro “for services to people with disabilities and the arts”. Before stepping forward, she stood to hear the following citation read to a packed ballroom of guests that included a representative minister of the government and a kaumatua and kuia of tangata whenua.

The citation captures her extraordinary example of service to the arts for disabled people.

“As a Human Rights Commissioner from 2002 to 2010, Ms Hunt led a consultation with the disability community that determined disabled people as a priority group in New Zealand’s first ever Human Rights Action Plan. She was a key member of an inquiry into accessible public transport. She contributed to the case for an international human rights convention for disabled people and represented New Zealand and Asia-Pacific human rights institutions at negotiations that created the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by New Zealand in 2008. She established her own accessibility company and has had varied involvement with accessibility policy, media and the arts, receiving several sector awards for her contributions. She has provided expertise to Creative New Zealand’s Manga Tipua Deaf and Disabled Leadership Rōpū, the Arts Council, and Arts Access Aotearoa. She has helped develop the Arts Council’s Tapatahi Accessibility Policy and Action Plan 2023-2028. Her involvement with the Arts For All Network since 2010 has supported arts venues to increase accessibility. She advised on the establishment of Taha Hotu the Deaf and Disabled Artists Initiative, supporting artist development. Ms Hunt co-established ‘Crip the Lit’ in 2016, promoting the work of disabled authors in New Zealand.”

Robyn was also the recipient of the Arts Access Accolade in 2019, recognising her long-standing commitment to human rights and advocacy for disabled people and also her unstinting support for Arts Access Aotearoa’s work.

I love the following quote from Robyn because it captures her determination and courage to keep challenging the status quo.

“I can’t stand injustice and I can’t stand discrimination. It’s something you can’t just turn on and off. Once you know about it you have to keep on fighting to

make things right.”

Read "Robyn Hunt fighting for human rights" 

In August this year, Robyn wrote a powerful blog recalling her time in New York in 2006 when the text of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was finalised.

“Disabled people were among the international negotiators – a first for the United Nations. As a New Zealand Human Rights Commissioner, I was part of a delegation that included disabled Kiwis … We all hoped it would radically change the human rights landscape.”

Read Robyn’s blog, “How far have we come in 20 years?”

Arts Access Aotearoa applauds Robyn’s outstanding service and commitment to making Aotearoa a more inclusive, accessible society. We are so proud of you.