Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) Awards Honorary Degree to Tim Harding

Tim Harding is this year�s recipient of WelTec�s prestigious honorary degree.  Tim was for six years the Chair of the New Zealand Drug Foundation and the inaugural chair of the Addiction Practitioners Association (DAPAANZ) for seven years. Although he recently handed over these chairing roles, Tim remains on the boards in support of both. He is also a board member of the National Committee for Addiction Treatment, the peak body of the addiction sector, the New Zealand Society on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (1954) and Platform, a charitable trust that brings together and promotes the voice of the NGO mental health and addiction sector.

The honorary degree in Alcohol and Drug Studies recognises Tim�s significant contribution to addiction treatment over the past 20 years.  Among Tim's most notable achievements are the design, development and implementation of New Zealand's first prison based therapeutic community for addiction treatment and strategic leadership of the eight CareNZ therapeutic communities in New Zealand prisons. 

Tim has significant health management experience having been the Chief Executive of Queen Mary hospital in 2009 and 2010 through to his current role as Chief Executive of Care NZ (a non-government provider of alcohol and drug treatment services that treats 5,500 New Zealanders per year).  Tim has made a significant contribution not only to clinical addiction services but also to the ongoing education and training of this workforce.  This commitment towards quality education has seen Tim hold the position of Chair of WelTec�s Addiction Studies Advisory Committee since 2007.

�I am deeply honoured to receive this degree from the Wellington Institute of Technology.  It is a tribute to the alcohol and drug treatment profession and recognises the work we do as health professionals,� says Tim Harding.  �Training and qualifications are vital to the alcohol and drug treatment sector.  WelTec is the pre-eminent provider of degrees in this field.  Employers in the health sector recognise this and WelTec graduates are highly sought after.�

Roger Sowry, WelTec Council Chairperson, said the award not only reflects the outstanding contribution Tim has made in his profession but also provides inspiration for WelTec graduates about to embark on their careers.  �I know the staff at WelTec greatly value Tim�s contribution and the students can see how a lifelong passion and pride in your work can lead to a very fulfilling and rewarding career,� says Mr Sowry.

The honorary degree is to be presented at the Wellington Institute of Technology graduation ceremony, 7pm on Thursday 2 February at the Michael Fowler Centre.  Almost 400 graduates are attending the ceremony with over 1700 eligible to graduate.  The graduation ceremony will be the first for the new combined Council representing both the Wellington Institute of Technology and Whitireia Community Polytechnic.  Together, the two polytechnics serve the whole Wellington region.