New Zealander of the Year Awards

Set of annual awards in New Zealand

The New Zealander of the Year Awards, currently known as the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, celebrate the achievements of New Zealanders and were founded in 2010 by Australian Jeffrey John Hopp. Nominations are accepted from the general public and a judging panel selects finalists in each category. The awards are presented in Auckland in March each year.[1][2][3]

## Categories

[edit]

The categories for the awards are:

* Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year (Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa)
* University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year (Te Mātātahi o te Tau)
* Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year (Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau)
* Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year (Te Pou Toko o te Tau)
* Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year (Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau)
* Spark New Zealand Innovator of the Year (Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau)
* Genesis New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year (Te Toa Taiao o te Tau)
* New Zealand Legacy Award (Te Pou Tūroa o Aotearoa)

### New Zealander of the Year

[edit]

Year  | Recipient  | Portrait

|
|

2010 | Ray Avery[4] |
2011 | Paul Callaghan[5] |
2012 | Richard Taylor[6] |
2013 | Anne Salmond |
2014 | Lance O'Sullivan |
2015 | Stephen Tindall[7] |
2016 | Richie McCaw[8] |
2017 | Taika Waititi[9] |
2018 | Kristine Bartlett[10] |
2019 | Mike King[11] |
2020 | Jennifer Ward-Lealand[11] |
2021 | Siouxsie Wiles[12] |
2022 | Tipene O'Regan[13] |
2023 | Rangi Mātāmua[14] |
2024 | Jim Salinger[15] |
2025 | Bev Lawton[16] |

### Young New Zealander of the Year

[edit]

Nominees must be aged between 15 and 30 years of age.[17]

Year  | Recipient  | Portrait

|
|

2010 | Divya Dhar[4] |
2011 | Jamie Fenton[5] |
2012 | Sam Johnson[6] |
2013 | Sam Judd[18] |
2014 | Parris Goebel |
2015 | Guy Ryan[19] |
2016 | Lydia Ko[8] |
2017 | Rez Gardi[9] |
2018 | David Cameron[20] |
2019 | Kendall Flutey[21] |
2020 | Georgia Hale[21] |
2021 | Jazz Thornton |
2022 | Ezra Hirawani[13] |
2023 | Shaneel Lal |
2024 | Simran Kaur |
2025 | Nu'uali'i Eteroa Lafaele[16] |

### Senior New Zealander of the Year

[edit]

Nominees must be over 70 years old.[17]

Year  | Recipient  | Portrait

|
|

2010 | Eion Edgar[4] |
2011 | Alison Neill[5] |
2012 | Malcolm Cameron[6] |
2013 | Ian Grant[22] |
2014 | Frances Denz |
2015 | Donald Sew Hoy[23] |
2016 | John Russell[8] |
2017 | Sue Paterson[9] |
2018 | Kim Workman[24] |
2019 | Bill Glass[25] |
2020 | Margaret Sparrow[25] |
2021 | Doug Wilson |
2022  | Tipene O'Regan |
2023 | Mark Dunajtschik |
2024 | Bob Francis |
2025 | Elizabeth Ellis[16] |

### Local Hero of the Year

[edit]

The award is made to an individual who is making or has made a significant contribution to their local community.

Year  | Recipient  | Portrait

|
|

2010 | Sam Chapman[4] |
2011 | Billy Graham[5] |
2012 | Henare O'Keefe[6] |
2013 | Jim Morunga[26] |
2014 | Cecilia Sullivan-Grant |
2015 | Billie Jordan[27] |
2016 | Selwyn Cook[8] |
2017 | Hayden Smith[9] |
2018 | Ricky Houghton[28] |
2019 | Pera Barrett[29] |
2020 | Nick Loosley[29] |
2021 | Shannon Te Huia |
2022 | David Letele[13] |
2023 | Ellen Nelson |
2024 | Sally Walker |
2025 | Subash Chandar K[16] |

### Community of the Year

[edit]

Regional or national community groups, iwi, geographical regions or collectives of people in any sector are eligible for the award.

Year  | Recipient

|

2010 | Victory Village, Nelson[4]
2011 | Gibbston Community Association[5]
2012 | Paeroa[6]
2013 | Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ[30]
2014 | Victim Support
2015 | Paihia[31]
2016 | Community Fruit Harvesting[32]
2017 | Randwick Park
2018 | Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust[33]
2019 | Pillars[34]
2020 | Good Bitches Baking[34]
2021 | Christchurch Mosque Victims Group
2022 | Matakaoa[13]
2023 | Kindness Collective
2024 | Cyclone Gabrielle volunteers
2025 | Lake Alice survivors[16]

### Innovator of the Year

[edit]

The category was introduced in 2014.

Year  | Recipient  | Portrait

|
|

2014 | Sean Simpson |
2015 | Peter Beck[35] |
2016 | Hyvan Anaesthesia Ltd[36] |
2017 | Ed Gane[9] |
2018 | Team New Zealand design team[37] |
2019 | Ian Taylor[38] |
2020 | Bill Buckley[38] |
2021 | Ranjna Patel |
2022 | Mark Sagar |
2023 | Emily Blythe |
2024 | Cecilia Robinson |
2025 | Emma Lewisham[16] |

### Sustainability Leader of the Year

[edit]

The category was introduced in 2022, and was known as Environmental Hero of the year from 2022 to 2024.

Year  | Recipient  | Portrait

|
|

2022 | Charmaine Bailie[13] |
2023 | Camden Howitt |
2024 | Nicola MacDonald |
2025 | Deborah Manning[16] |

### Legacy Award

[edit]

The Legacy Award was inaugurated in 2024, and recognises an individual or individuals whose contribution to New Zealand over a sustained period of time has played a significant role in defining national identity.

Year  | Recipient  | Portrait

|
|

2024 | Wayne Smith |
2025 | Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood[16] |

## Nomination and selection process

[edit]

Any member of the public can nominate an individual (aged 15 years or older), organisation or group for an award. A judging panel of one executive judge and two or three additional judges creates a list of semi-finalists, followed by a shortlist of three finalists for each award. The finalists are invited to the New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala in Auckland and the winners are announced on the night.[39] Local Hero Medal recipients are awarded throughout December each year.[39]

All nominees receive a certificate of achievement, and each of the six category award winners receives a trophy and a prize of NZ$5,000.[39]

In 2020, the executive judges were:

* Tess Casey, CEO, Neighbourhood Support NZ
* Bill Dwyer, Commercial and Corporate Lawyer
* Jamie Fitzgerald, CEO, Inspiring Performance
* Marisa Fong, Trustee, Simplicity NZ; Director, Masimaya Consulting, Founder/Director, Arné Skincare
* Abby Foote, Professional Director
* Steve Jurkovich, CEO, Kiwibank
* Miriama Kamo, Te Koruru, Patron
* Bill Moran, Professional Director, Chair, Sport New Zealand
* Mere Pohatu, Regional Director, Ministry of Maori Development
* Caren Rangi, ONZM, Deputy Chair of Creative New Zealand
* Lou Sanson, Director-General of the Department of Conservation

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Ironic Start-Up To New Zealander Of The Year Award | Scoop News".
2. ^ "About". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
3. ^ "New Zealander of the Year – Kiwibank". www.kiwibank.co.nz. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
4. ^ a b c d e Gadd, David (4 February 2010). "From streetkid to New Zealander of the Year". Stuff. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
5. ^ a b c d e "Scientist named NZer of the year". Otago Daily Times. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
6. ^ a b c d e "Sam Johnson named young NZer of year". The Press. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
7. ^ "New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
8. ^ a b c d Garrick, Moana Tapaleao, Gia (17 February 2016). "Richie McCaw named New Zealander of the year". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 17 February 2016.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
9. ^ a b c d e "Director Taika Waititi wins New Zealander of the Year award". Stuff.
10. ^ "New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
11. ^ a b "New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
12. ^ "New Zealander of the Year". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
13. ^ a b c d e Daly, Michael (31 March 2022). "New Zealander of the Year 2022 – here is a full list of the winners". Stuff. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
14. ^ Jack, Amberleigh (30 March 2023). "Live: Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa". Stuff.
15. ^ Jamieson, Debbie (27 March 2024). "Climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger named Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year". Stuff. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
16. ^ a b c d e f g h "Professor Bev Lawton named the New Zealander of the Year". RNZ News. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
17. ^ a b "Category Criteria | New Zealander of the Year Awards". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
18. ^ "2013 Coca-Cola Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year Winner". NZAwards.org.nz. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
19. ^ "Young New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
20. ^ "Young New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
21. ^ a b "Young New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
22. ^ "2013 Countdown Senior New Zealander of the Year Winner". NZAwards.org.nz. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
23. ^ "Senior New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
24. ^ "Senior New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
25. ^ a b "Senior New Zealander of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
26. ^ "2013 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year Winner". NZAwards.org.nz. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
27. ^ "New Zealand Local Hero". nzawards.org.nz. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
28. ^ "New Zealand Local Hero of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
29. ^ a b "New Zealand Local Hero of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
30. ^ "2013 Mitre 10 Community of the Year Winner". NZAwards.org.nz. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
31. ^ "New Zealand Community of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
32. ^ "McCaw New Zealander of the Year". Stuff. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
33. ^ "New Zealand Community of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
34. ^ a b "New Zealand Community of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
35. ^ "New Zealand Innovator of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
36. ^ "New Zealand Innovator of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
37. ^ "New Zealand Innovator of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
38. ^ a b "New Zealand Innovator of the Year". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
39. ^ a b c "About". nzawards.org.nz. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* New Zealander of the Year Awards official site