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Two Franklin locals who have made major contributions in their respective fields have been acknowledged in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List.
Vicky Mee has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to women and business.
The honours citation states the Pukekohe resident advocates for women and girls in spheres such as pay equity, board and executive representation, and employee recruitment at local, national and international levels through roles with several organisations.
“Mrs Mee has been involved with Business and Professional Women New Zealand (BPWNZ) since 2009, initially through the Franklin branch. She is a Past President of BPWNZ from 2014 to 2017 and has worked on policy development in conjunction with other countries to present to the United Nations General Assembly.
“As BPWNZ President, she oversaw the hosting of the Asia Pacific Regional Conference in 2016 and organised three annual conferences for New Zealand.”
Mrs Mee is currently chairing the BPW International Resolutions Committee. She was a member from 2013 to 2021 and Chair from 2016 to 2020 of the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles New Zealand Committee.
“She led a successful campaign for more businesses to sign up to the seven UN Women’s Empowerment Principles. She has had a long-term involvement with Mai Lighthouse (formerly Franklin Family Support Services) as a budgeter and financial mentor. She mentors those in hardship starting businesses through the Generator Programme in conjunction with Emerge Aotearoa.”
Mrs Mee has also volunteered with Christian Community Care and is a member of the Pacific Women’s Watch and Pay Equity Coalition in Auckland.
The Venerable Sohim Hay has received the King’s Service Medal for services to the Cambodian community.
The Ardmore resident supports the spiritual and social well-being of Auckland’s Cambodian community.
“Abbot Hay arrived in New Zealand in 2009 to take up a role of Senior Monk in the Wat Khemaraphirataram temple in Randwick Park. Since 2019, he has served as its Abbot, and continues to offer blessings and solace in homes or hospitals and provides counsel to individuals seeking his wisdom.
“He has led campaigns to fundraise more than $2 million to construct several new buildings in the temple complex, including a sacred Vihera and stupa, the construction and decoration of which he has also spearheaded. He has provided his guidance and advice to temples in Wellington and Palmerston North.
“As well as a spiritual leader, he has helped to keep Cambodian culture alive in Auckland. He has created a place of safety for Cambodian New Zealanders for informal gatherings, to socialise, to play sports and learn about their heritage. He has personally passed on his skills as a sculptor, aided in a Cambodian Kickboxing school and set up Khmer language classes.”
Abbot Hay is currently supporting the development of a multifunctional dining hall in the Wat Khemaraphirataram temple complex on Porchester Road.
