Sun 13 Dec 2015 In: Our Communities View at Wayback View at NDHA
NZAF welcomed two new board members at their recent Annual General Meeting, meet Jason Myers and James Hudson, who replace long serving out-going Trustee Andrew Sweet. Describing himself as deeply committed to the communities most at risk of HIV in New Zealand, Jason says he is genuinely excited at the opportunity to serve them through a position on the NZAF Board. Bringing over a decade of HIV research, policy, management and governance to the role, his PhD explored the worlds of men living with HIV in Auckland and he subsequently worked for the NZAF for four years. Jason Myers “During my time with the Foundation I worked in a number of roles including Strategic Policy Advisor and International Programme Manager. I also served on the Board of the Asia-Pacific Coalition for Male Sexual Health (APCOM),” he says. He is currently the Advocacy and Campaign Director for Oxfam New Zealand, a development organisation seeking to eradicate the injustice of poverty in the Pacific. Jason manages a Wellington-based policy team and an Auckland-based campaign team to challenge the policies and practices that keep people in poverty. In his spare time he travels, keeps fit and enjoys spending time with good friends. Board Chair David Friar says: “Mr Myers brings significant experience to the NZAF board, including more than a decade’s involvement in HIV research, policy, management and governance, as well as his PhD concerning men living with HIV in Auckland.” James Hudson James Hudson was appointed to a co-opted position on the Board following the AGM. Friar says: “James is currently a principal advisor to Auckland Council’s Independent Māori Statutory Board, and will give the NZAF board additional expertise and experience with takatāpui and Māori communities, enhancing the value provided by the Māori advisory group Te Rōpū kia Tau o te Waka .” Raised in Whakatane and currently living in Auckland, James and his son and remain heavily involved with whānau back home. He says he is grateful to be able to contribute to – and be inspired by – takatāpui, Māori and indigenous communities worldwide. With a LLM (Hons) from the University of Auckland and a PhD from Massey University, James formerly practised environmental and commercial law in Wellington and Auckland before shifting to the tertiary sector where he taught and researched Māori and indigenous development. He is currently a principal advisor for the Independent Māori Statutory Board, specialising in data and evaluation. James says: “I have the utmost respect for the NZAF’s work to prevent HIV transmission and to support affected communities. And I have a strong faith that the NZAF will achieve its vision of flourishing communities living without HIV and AIDS.” GayNZ.com Daily News staff - 13th December 2015
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 13th December 2015 - 2:04pm