Dr O'Sullivan had been named New Zealander of the Year at a function in Auckland on Wednesday, in recognition of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the health of Far North Maori and children. Those initiatives included low-cost/free medical clinics, the school-based Manawa Ora Korokoro Ora (MOKO) programme, designed to detect the throat infection that, untreated, could lead to rheumatic fever, the low-cost general practice Te Kohanga Whakaora he and wife Tracey opened at Kaitaia Hospital, and the Kainga Ora (Well Home) project, which sprang from his realisation that improving people's homes was more effective in improving their health than writing prescriptions for recurring respiratory and other illnesses linked with poverty.
His efforts to promote a community approach to addressing poverty-related health and well-being issues included challenging last year's Far North mayoral and council candidates to cut the number of pokie machines in the district.
The father of seven said he was proud and motivated to be helping raise children who had a good outlook and chances, and wanted similar aims and outcomes for other Maori.
"Lance O'Sullivan's passion, drive and unwavering commitment to eradicating poverty-related illnesses are exactly the kind of qualities we look for," New Zealander of the Year chief judge Cameron Bennett said.
His citation noted that he had identified a high level of health needs in an impoverished region of New Zealand, and had set about using his skills as a medical doctor to assist the community.
