Queens Birthday Honours for Academic

Otago Polytechnic is thrilled to congratulate Dr Sally Pairman who was recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours list for her services to women's health. Dr Pairman was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).

Dr Pairman has been involved in Midwifery for more than 20 years and during that time has contributed to significant changes in New Zealand that led to the recognition of Midwifery as a profession in its own right. This in turn led to a law change in 1990, allowing women to choose a midwife for support during their pregnancy and childbirth.

Dr Pairman was instrumental in establishing the first Bachelor of Midwifery programme in 1992, followed by establishment of the postgraduate programmes at Otago Polytechnic. She has contributed enormous energy to the profession of Midwifery and been instrumental in successfully bringing about change. She is currently Chair of the Midwifery Council of New Zealand - and of course our Group Manager for Health and Community and Head of the School of Midwifery.