Dr Zhiyan Basharati is a finalist for the Young New Zealander of the Year Award.
She came to New Zealand age 11 after spending her childhood in a Kurdish refugee camp.
Now she has a PhD in forensic psychology and is a dedicated advocate for refugees and migrants.
On the day of the Christchurch mosque attacks, Zhiyan was by coincidence at Christchurch Hospital. She quickly made herself known to staff and began organising translators who spoke Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Somali or Kurdish to assist victims and their family members.
She went on to coordinate the welfare centre at Hagley College and set up the Christchurch Victims Organising Committee (CVOC), working around the clock to disseminate information and help survivors and their families in various capacities, including distributing donations and helping with immigration status and visa issues.
The Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards will take place on 31 March.
Dr Zhiyan Basharati Photo: supplied
