A Kiwi paediatrician who has dedicated his career to championing children’s rights in New Zealand has received widespread praise after winning a global UNICEF award.

Dr Ian Hassall was honoured by his peers at a function in Wellington yesterday, while on the same day, Parliament considered a motion of congratulations.

Dr Hassall received the UN Children’s Fund Aldo Farina Award in Seoul earlier this month, in recognition of his sustained contribution to child rights advocacy. It is awarded only every second year and is open to all 194 countries in which UNICEF operates.

Among guests at the Wellington function to mark his success were Judge Carolyn Henwood, former Human Rights Commissioner Rae Julian, and Mike Coleman of Every Child Counts. Also there was long-time colleague and supporter of child rights, Robert Ludbrook, a child rights lawyer who was present in Geneva when the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed.

Well-known Dominion Post cartoonist, Tom Scott, created a good-natured caricature of Dr Hassall which pictured him as a stork delivering a baby.

The Hon Tariana Turia, moved in the House yesterday a vote of congratulations to Dr Hassall “in recognition of his leadership and passionate commitment to improving the health and welfare of children in NZ.”

UNICEF NZ Domestic Advocacy Manager, Barbara Lambourn, says Dr Hassall’s award is universally supported.

“Dr Hassall has received messages of congratulation from throughout New Zealand and overseas. The award is a fitting recognition of the important role he has played in advancing children's rights.

“UNICEF NZ is pleased to be associated with such a prestigious, yet personally humble New Zealander. He is an inspiration to us all.”