We’re delighted to share that at the 2025 General Assembly on Sunday July 6th, Gaylene Middleton was awarded the Distinguished Services to Humanism 2024 Award, an honor presented to three exceptional individuals for their outstanding contributions to Humanism globally:
Gaylene Middleton (New Zealand): For her pivotal role in connecting New Zealand’s humanist networks to global initiatives, including funding and support for humanist education in Nepal.
by Andrew Copson and accepted by Uttam on Gaylene’s behalf.
Here is the speech made by Andrew Copson on presenting this award:
It is my honor to present the 2025 Distinguished Service to Humanism Award to an individual whose dedication and quiet, yet profound, impact have shaped the humanist movement in New Zealand and beyond: Gaylene Middleton.
Gaylene has served for decades with the New Zealand Humanist Society and more recently the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists. Her service spans local, national, and international scopes, consistently demonstrating a deep commitment to reason, compassion, critical thinking, and human flourishing.
As the secretary of the Humanist Society of New Zealand for decades, Gaylene has been instrumental in modernizing their communications, moving from print to digital, and significantly growing their network of advocates. She is often working behind the scenes, editing others’ work and sourcing compelling national and international stories that have enriched humanist thought in New Zealand.
Her activism is equally impressive. Gaylene was central to establishing a relationship with SOCH Nepal, creating a network of New Zealand funders to support the establishment and running of a humanist school. She was also a key organizer of the 2018 International Humanist Conference in Auckland, even assisting with visa applications for international attendees.
Gaylene’s leadership has ensured a regular schedule of events and speakers for the Humanist Society of New Zealand, fostering collaboration within the committee. Despite the distance, she has attended numerous Humanist International events at her own expense and has financially supported others to participate in humanist activities both nationally and internationally.
Through her administration of the Eileen Bone Humanist Scholarship with Naenae College and Victoria University of Wellington, Gaylene has provided vital financial support to dozens of students, enabling them to further their education.
Her advocacy and communications work have directly influenced significant policy changes in New Zealand, including the repeal of the Blasphemy Law in 2019, the achievement of assisted dying legislation in 2019, the reform of religious instruction in state primary schools to an opt-in model, and the removal of abortion from the Crimes Act in 2020.
Gaylene’s commitment to integrity, honesty, and respect for others is exemplified by her quiet support for individuals seeking asylum, including Abid Mehmood. She consistently ensures her conduct upholds the reputation of humanist values, working with a kind, gentle, and deeply ethical approach. As one nominator put it, “without her quiet and gentle prompting many projects would not progress.”
Though Gaylene cannot be with us in person today, her immense contributions are deeply felt and widely recognized. She received the “Services to Humanism in New Zealand” award in 2018, and it is with great pleasure that we add the 2025 Distinguished Service to Humanism Award to her well-deserved accolades.
Thank you, Gaylene, for your unwavering dedication and profound impact on the humanist movement.
The Wellington Humanist Hub got together to celebrate this recognition of Gaylene’s exceptional work & 75th birthday with cake…