Meet the 2026 Semi-Finalists moving

Aotearoa forward

MEET YOUR SEMI-FINALISTS

We've just revealed Aotearoa New Zealand's 70 incredible changemakers – the leaders, the innovators, the guardians of people and place. The ones dreaming big, doing the mahi, and making a real impact in communities across the motu.

Is your favourite New Zealander among them? Explore the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa Semi-Finalists and discover the remarkable stories moving Aotearoa forward.

We announce the top three Finalists for all seven awards on Thursday 26 February 2026 - so stay connected on our socials to follow the next stage in the Awards!

Click on the awards below to meet the 10 Semi-Finalists in each category.

Awards

Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year

Go Media Young New Zealander of the Year

Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year

2degrees New Zealand Innovator of the Year

New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year

Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year

Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year

Fisher Funds New Zealand Legacy Award

2025

winners

Professor Bev Lawton ONZM

Kiwibank

New Zealander of the Year

Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa

Namulau‘ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele

Go Media

Young New Zealander of the Year

Te Mātātahi o te Tau

Elizabeth Ellis CNZM JP

Ryman Healthcare

Senior New Zealander of the Year

Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau

Emma Lewisham

2degrees

New Zealand Innovator of the Year

Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau

Lake Alice Survivors and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights New Zealand

Mitre 10

New Zealand Community of the Year

Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau

Subash Chandar K

Tower

New Zealand Local Hero of the Year

Te Pou Toko o te Tau

Deborah Manning ONZM

New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year

Te Toa Taiao o te Tau

Sir Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood

Fisher Funds

New Zealand Legacy Award

Te Pou Tūroa o Aotearoa New Zealand

2025/26

Key Dates

24 July

Nominations
Open

24 August

Nominations
Closed

20 November

Local Heroes
Announced

11 December

Semi-Finalists
Announced

26 February

Finalists
Announced

19 March

Awards
Gala

Join us as we kick off our nominations phase of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa! For four weeks – from 24 July to 24 August – we invite you to put forth your champions of positive change. Awarded across seven categories and celebrating people from every age, stage and background; this is your chance to shine a spotlight on the people who matter to you.

As nominations come flooding in, we’re hard at work bringing together seven incredible category judging panels comprised of sector leaders and experts from across Aotearoa. When nominations close on 24 August, all nominations will go through two rounds of intensive debate, as with great care and rigour our judges select the most powerful stories of the year.

In late-November, we proudly reveal and celebrate the top 100 nominees from across the country for the Tower Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau. These people are our neighbours, our colleagues, our friends, our front line workers, our volunteers – the people that work behind the scenes every day to make Aotearoa a better place. Each receives a medal, and will move through to the next round of judging to be considered for the final award.

From thousands of public nominations, the top ten Semi-Finalists across all each of the award categories are announced. This is a huge moment to collectively appreciate and celebrate the people who have made invaluable contributions to our nation – from transforming local communities to putting Aotearoa New Zealand on a world stage.

Our incredible Executive Judging Panel, made of esteemed leaders from diverse fields across New Zealand, have the impossible job of selecting the top three Finalists in each of the seven award categories. These people, our 2026 Finalists, are announced and celebrated on 26 February. You’ll have to join us on Awards Night in March to see who takes out the titles!

Join us for the greatest night of the year! Our annual Awards Gala is set for Thursday 19th March 2026, Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Be in the room with the best of Aotearoa as we celebrate the the Semi-Finalists, Finalists and announce the 2026 Winners across all seven categories. Nothing beats the energy, emotion and significance of this special night. Tickets on sale from late November 2025.