NZ’s first deaf MP thanks supporters

New Zealand’s first deaf Member of Parliament, Mojo Mathers, will soon be a part of another community come New Year.

Mathers, 52, is one of four people from the South Canterbury and North Otago areas named in the New Year’s honours list for 2019.

She joins Waimate District Councillor Tom O’Connor of St Andrews, the Penguin Rescue New Zealand charitable trust’s Rosalie Goldsworthy, and the late Georgina Salter, the netball coach and former Silver Fern who died on November 29, who were all made members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the list announced this morning.

Involved in politics and the Green Party since 2005, Mathers – who lives at Peel Forest, near Geraldine – made New Zealand history in 2011 when she was elected to Parliament and became the first deaf MP.

Mathers, who received her honour for services to people with disabilities, first heard about her nomination a few months ago, and said ‘‘it was a genuine surprise, as whoever nominated me didn’t let on to me that they’d done so’’.

‘‘I feel very humbled and grateful to realise that there are people, who care enough about my work I have done, to go to the effort of nominating me.

‘‘In accepting the award, I want to say that, for me, this isn’t just about my work. It is about recognising that these achievements would never have been possible without the love and support of so many others.’’

Along with representing the deaf community, both within Parliament and New Zealand, Mathers has championed environmental rights, including helping the town of Coalgate in Canterbury, where she used to live, prevent a dam being built in the area.

While no longer in the political public eye as an MP after losing her seat in the 2017 general election, she continues her work, both within Green Party committees and speaking about her political journey and ‘‘why inclusion matters’’.

She says this is because it is her testament to ‘‘the many awesome deaf and disabled young people around the country’’.

‘‘They are the reason why I continue to speak up for meaningful inclusion and diversity in all its forms. The simple reality is that we all benefit when we ensure that everyone can participate fully and contribute to society. For me, that is a future worth striving for.’’

Moeraki-based Goldsworthy, also awarded the MNZM, was pleasantly surprised to find herself on the list.

‘‘This recognition was totally unexpected. We spend our time and effort with the penguins, not with people, and so did not expect to be nominated.’’

Goldsworthy is Penguin Rescue’s manager. The charitable organisation’s focus is on saving and protecting New Zealand’s indigenous penguins. This includes providing safe nesting spaces, managing the surrounding habitat, and caring for sick and injured birds.

She said the honour – for services to wildlife conservation – had given her team a further reason why their work was so important, particularly concerning the yellow-eyed species, the second-rarest penguin in the world.

Goldsworthy thanked those who nominated and chose her.

‘‘Thank you. Thank you to everyone who believes in kaitiakitanga (guardianship) for our taonga (treasured) species. There is work for us all to save our wildlife.’’

‘‘The simple reality is that we all benefit when we ensure that everyone can participate fully and contribute to society.’’ Former Green Party MP Mojo Mathers, pictured above.