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The organisation leading the Maori and Pacific response to HIV/AIDs has been given a Red Ribbon award at the 2016 World Aids Conference in Durban.
The tohu, given each year by 11 United Nations organisations and the World Bank, recognises the leading community-based responses to AIDS.
It is the first time an Indigenous, Maori, Pacific Island or NZ group has been acknowledged in this way.
Accepting the award on behalf of INA, co-founder and executive director Marama Pala said community-based organisations lie at the heart of the response to the AIDS epidemic and display extraordinary courage, resilience and strength.
She thanked her board members and kaumatua Huirangi Waikerepuru, as well as INA's late kuia Mereiwa Broughton, and acknowledged the support of the Maori Party to create an independent HIV/AIDS NGO for Maori.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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