The New Zealander of the Year Awards Office is proud to announce the 100 Kiwibank Local Hero Medallists for the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau – an extraordinary group of Kiwis making a positive difference in their communities.
Individually, these Medallists are champions of change. They demonstrate remarkable selflessness and determination, improving the lives of those around them in both geographical and interest-based communities. Together, they embody the true spirit of Aotearoa.
In 2024, our nation has continued to face unique challenges, and these Local Hero Medallists rose to the occasion. From Kaitaia to Bluff, they’ve worked tirelessly to heal the environment, empower rangatahi, uplift friends and whānau, and step up for their hapori.
Agnes Abuel-Guda, a Local Hero Medallist from Canterbury Waitaha, reflects on the recognition, saying:
“My heart is just bursting with gratitude to whoever nominated me for this and for all your efforts in recognising individuals such as me as this gives us the motivation and inspiration to continue what we do despite some challenges. Allow me to just express my sincerest appreciation, love and gratitude to you and all the people involved in this undertaking. I am humbled by this remarkable recognition. This is such a blessing and I am truly proud to call Aotearoa as my home.”
Earlier this year, the Awards Office called on Aotearoa to nominate their local heroes, and New Zealanders responded with an incredible number of submissions. After careful consideration, our judges selected 100 outstanding Kiwis to honour as Medallists.
Your 2025 Kiwibank Local Hero Medallists
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Agnes Abuel-Guda
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Aleisha Amohia
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Amanda Reed
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Anahera Nin
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Andrea Balona
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Andrew Gibson
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Angela Matatia
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Anne-Maree McKay
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Associate Professor Arish Naresh
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Becki Moss
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Birgette McCarthy
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Breahn Stubbs
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Bryce Casey
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Campbell Hill
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Cassey-Marie Thompson
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Charlotte Gibson
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Charlotte Owens-Pring
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Charmaine Jean Harris
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Chris Grinter
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Ciara Gibson
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Claire Roper
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Craig Little
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Damien Ekenasio
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Dan Allen-Gordon
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Dan Henry
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Daniel Gamboa Salazar
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David McKay
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Debbie Munroe
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Denise Potbury
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Donna Baker
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Dot McKay
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Dr Alexander Stevens
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Dr Ingrid Visser
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Dr Mai Tamimi MNZM
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Dr Tom Crawford
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Emily Writes
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Eryn Gribble
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Fainu’ulelei Aifa’i Esera
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Genna Hawkins Boulton
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Hamiora Gibson
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Hayley Guglietta
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Heather Duffy
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Henare O’Keef
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Hilda Halkyard-Harawira
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Honoria Parata
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James Wards
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Jeet Suchdev
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Jennifer Rush
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Joel Mudford
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Kahira Rata Olley
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Kevin Kavanagh
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Kim Murray
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Leilani Faaiuaso
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Lionel Nunns
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Malcom Mulholland
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Mark Leuthard
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Marlene Aoake
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Matt Ashton
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Meredith Stewart
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Michelle Gillman
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Michelle Woolf
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Morehu Tuuta-Ransfield
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Nadine Rees-Gaunt
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Natalya Manton
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Natasha Te Atapo Irwin
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Nick Rogers
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Nicola Smith
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Peta Spooner
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Peter Gifford
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Peter Mannix
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Peter Marshall
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Raewyn McDonald
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Rawiri Bhana
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Richard Adams
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Rob Maetzig
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Rob Mokaroka
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Rory Gardiner
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Samantha Bergin
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Sameer El-Matary
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Sarah Hirini
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Scott Harvey
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Scott Henry
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Shawn Wimalaratne
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Shirley Potter
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Sian Neary
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Subash Chandar K
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Talei Bryant
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Tāme Iti
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Tania Carr
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Ted Manson
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Terina Goodwin
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Tess Langworthy
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Tia Ashby
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Tom Tito-Green
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Tony Gaeta
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Tony Smith
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Vanessa Kite
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Wendy Brown
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Willow van Heugten
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Zhane Tāhau Whelan
To learn more about the Medallists and their stories, visit https://nzawards.org.nz/local-heroes/
An independent and diverse judging panel made up of 50 judges from across Aotearoa had the challenging task of evaluating and whittling down this year’s Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year nominations to the 100 Medallists we celebrate today. The Medallists are now in the running for the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau.
