2012 Public Sector Excellence Awards – Fo Guang Shan joins the stage to receive award
With invitations by Police Superintendent Wallace Haumaha, Venerable Abbess Manshin, South Island Fo Guang Shan Minister in Charge Venerable Juexi, North Island BLIA president Dolly Tsai and 3 others arrived at Wellington on 27th June to join the “2012 Public Sector Excellence Awards” ceremony. During this event, New Zealand Police became stars of the show, and New Zealand Buddhism also shined along side.
The “Public Sector Excellence Award” is held annually to recognize and commemorate exceptional performances by Public sector and charitable organizations. This year the organizer has received nominations from 70 organizations. After assessing and deliberating by the judges, 33 organizations were chosen for the awards, which included the New Zealand Police. The award ceremony was officially held at TSB Arena on Wellington on 27th of June.
2012 Prizes won by New Zealand Police includes:
• Excellence in Ethnic Diversity
• Crown Maori Relationships
• Public Sector Communications
• Business Transformation
The award for “Excellence in Ethic Diversity” was achieved because of the assistance and co-operation provided by Fo Guang Shan and other ethnic/cultural organization to the police during the September earthquake; through which showed contributions by the police toward multiculturalism. Hence Superintendent Wallace Haumaha invited the Abbess to join the award ceremony.
After the ceremony opening, Police representatives ascended the stage for the “Excellence in Ethnic Diversity” award. The award was officially received by Superintendent Wallace Haumaha, Venerable Abbess Manshin, Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Auckland Council Crime Prevention Project Leader Mauga Michael, and Canterbury Refugee Council Chairman Ahmed Tani. As a pleasant surprise, not soon after receiving this award, the Police representatives were called up again for the “Crown Maori Relationships” award. At this moment, the Police department and all associated guests became stars of the ceremony.
As another joyful surprise, the organizers also presented a bonus award for “The State Services Commission Award for Excellence in Response to the Canterbury Earthquakes”, which was also won by the Police! So Venerable Abbess Manshin ascended the stage again with Superintendent Wallace Haumaha to receive the prize. Out of the 12 award categories for the night, NZ police has won 3, thus creating a new accomplishment for NZ Police history.
During the September earthquake, NZ Police accomplished great work for disaster relief with assistance from Fo Guang Shan temple, and members of IBT and BLIA. Not only did this mutual support allowed the Police to provide relief for the quake victims, it also resulted in new achievements in public service provided for a multicultural society. Hence Superintendent Wallace Haumaha sincerely gave his gratitude to the Abbess and members of Fo Guang Shan by saying: “The Abbess is my Mentor!” After receiving three awards, he also exclaimed that: “I can’t believe such a small office could have accomplished so much!?” (Fo Guang Shan South Island provided office space for the co-ordination of disaster relief by NZ Police) The Abbess replied: “Even though it is a small office, but because your heart has concern for the whole country, so the resulting accomplishment is great.”
Because of the close team work by NZ Police and Fo Guang Shan, they have achieved one of the most proud moment in Police history, which also allowed NZ Buddhism to shine.