NZAL Secretary and Board Member Dr Lincoln Dam received the Research Award at the inaugural Flourishing Asian Communities and Workforce Symposium, held on 13 March 2026 in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).

The inaugural symposium was hosted by Asian Family Services – an organisation providing support services to Asian communities in Aotearoa New Zealand since 1998. The symposium brought together more than 200 health professionals, policymakers, researchers, educators, funders, and community leaders from across the country. Asian Family Services noted that, “The symposium represents an important step forward in collective efforts to enhance Asian wellbeing and demonstrate the power of partnership.”

The symposium included an awards ceremony, which celebrated excellence across five categories: Clinical, Public Health, Youth, Peer Support and Lived Experience, and Research. The Research Award presented to Dr Dam “honours research that creates real, measurable impact for Asian communities. This includes studies that highlight community needs, evaluate programmes, or develop new knowledge that strengthens culturally responsive practice.” The award was presented by the Minister for Mental Health, the Honourable Matt Doocey.

Please see the following links for more on the symposium and awards:

• New Zealand’s first Asian workforce symposium breaks new ground: Pioneering wellbeing and cultural excellence (Asian Family Services)

• Asian health contributors recognised at awards ceremony (Radio New Zealand)

Group photo below courtesy of Asian Family Services.