
Mustafa Derbashi said the award marked a new stage in his work, but there was more to be done.
He now lives in Auckland, but grew up in a UN Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan and could not speak a word of English upon arriving in New Zealand.
He has worked with refugees in Dunedin through an integration programme he designed called Men Integration Project, which aimed to reduce family violence in the refugee community, improve spoken English, provide guidance on New Zealand parenting and general culture, and help men find employment.
Mr Derbashi has organised cultural nights, festivals and school holiday development programmes for children, and led youth camps and sports trips.
He has provided interpreting support to those engaging with agencies from police to local government.
He has worked as an unpaid teacher aide in the ESOL programme in schools, working with students with behavioural issues, coaching football, and helping teachers better understand Middle Eastern cultures.
He has emceed at the New Zealand Eid Day, the biggest Muslim celebration in Auckland with more than 15,000 attendees.
He interpreted for events following the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, including the Forsyth Barr Stadium vigil and the sentencing.
Mr Derbashi has been a member of the executive committee of the Brockville Amenity and Community Improvement Society and the Brockville Primary School Board of Trustees.