Professor of Psychology & Public Health receives national honour
Professor Max Abbott, Dean of AUT’s Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) at an investiture ceremony in Auckland last week.
Professor Abbott was formally recognised for his outstanding services to health, science and education at the ceremony hosted by Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae.
The honour acknowledges his pioneering research and advocacy in the areas of mental health and public health. Professor Abbott’s significant contribution to gambling, addiction and migrant health research has helped advance policy, positively impact New Zealand communities, and has made a profound difference to the lives of those with mental health disorders.
He has also been a driving force in the development of organisations that pursue improvements in health, education and welfare. He was the founding National Director of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, a position he held for ten years. He is a former President of the World Federation for Mental Health (1991 – 1993), and co-chaired the first World Mental Health Day during his tenure. The annual event plays an important role in raising the profile of mental health issues internationally.
Professor Abbott was honoured to be made CNZM, chiefly for the industry regard it denotes. "It is the endorsement from my peers that is the most important thing to me," he says.
He has served on many government boards and committees, and his work has been celebrated through numerous awards during his career – including the New Zealand Psychological Society biennial award for ‘Contribution to Psychology in the Public Interest’ and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.
Under his leadership AUT’s Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences has become the country’s largest and most diverse health and science education provider, with over 7,000 students across a broad range of disciplines and numerous institutes conducting important research.
In addition to his role as Dean, Professor Abbott is Pro Vice-Chancellor of AUT’s North Campus, Co-director and founder of the National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research, Co-director of the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, Director of the Centre for Migrant and Refugee Research, and Senior Consultant to the World Federation for Mental Health Board.