Dr Chris Moyes has been Medical Director of the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand for many years in addition to his work as a paediatrician, and this year was awarded The New Zealand Order of Merit. He received the honour at the Wellington Investitures held on 10 May 2022.
In the 1980s, he played a key role in researching hepatitis B (HBV), as children in parts of New Zealand had high infection rates. As a result, the Ministry of Health introduced an HBV immunisation programme for children.
He was a Member of the South Pacific Advisory Group, established to seek HBV vaccine information, conduct epidemiological studies and monitor people with the virus. Alongside his colleagues, he convinced the government to roll out a fully funded HBV vaccination for all infants.
Dr Moyes has worked with Kaumātua in Eastern Bay of Plenty to improve access to testing, monitoring and treatment for Māori living with HBV.
We are pleased for Dr Moyes and congratulate him on the recognition of his service by The New Zealand Order of Merit.
