Sir Rod Drury Named 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa

Sir Rod Drury has been named the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa, with seven other extraordinary individuals recognised at a sold-out Gala Dinner in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

From thousands of nominations, narrowed to 70 Semi-Finalists and 21 Finalists, these eight remarkable New Zealanders rose to the top – selected by an independent Executive Judging Panel for using their passion to make our country a better place.

Miriama Kamo, Te Koruru Patron of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa, says,

“This year, I’ve been thinking about connection – the invisible threads that bind us to one another, the quiet networks of care, courage and commitment that hold firm, even when the world feels uncertain. At a time when technology can both link us and distance us, it’s people leading with ambition for others and for our nation who help us continue to evolve. The finalists and nominees we honour understand that progress is rarely the result of one voice – its collaboration, trust, and community. The 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa illuminate what is best in us: service, innovation, generosity, and a belief that our futures are shared and aspirational. To all those recognised, thank you for strengthening the ties that bind our communities and our country. You remind us that we belong to one another.”

Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa 2026

Sir Rod Drury (Otago Ōtākou)

Sir Rod Drury (Ngāi Tahu), pioneering entrepreneur and founder of Xero, continues to shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s technology landscape through innovation, investment, and mentorship. Sir Rod is driving sustainable, future-focused innovation while empowering a new generation of Kiwi tech leaders to think boldly and globally. More recently has been focussed on venture philanthropy and funding a significant number of public good infrastructure projects.

Beyond his business achievements, Sir Rod’s leadership and philanthropy have left a lasting imprint on New Zealand’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recognised as EY New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, and an inductee into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame, he continues to give back through mentorship, investment, and community initiatives. His legacy is one of vision and generosity – proving that success and service can grow together.

Steve Jurkovich, Chief Executive of Kiwibank says, “Sir Rod Drury has a track record for turning ambition into action. From transforming how small businesses operate and grow across the world, to backing the next generation of innovators and investing in the people and physical infrastructure our country needs for the future, his impact is far-reaching and deeply practical. What stands out most is his commitment to using his success as a platform to enable others – helping more New Zealand businesses to start, scale and succeed. Kiwibank exists to make Kiwi better off, and Sir Rod’s mahi is helping build a more productive, confident and future-focused Aotearoa. We’re proud to celebrate him as the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa.”

The remarkable New Zealanders honoured as the 2026 Winners across the seven other Awards are:

Go Media Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o Te Tau 2026

• Lucy Blakiston (Marlborough Te Tauihu-o-te-waka) – Founder and CEO of Shit You Should Care About, Lucy Blakiston empowers millions of young people to engage critically with global issues and shape a more informed, compassionate world.

Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o Te Tau 2026

• Alan and Hazel Kerr (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr have dedicated their retirement into a lifetime of service, saving the lives of nearly 800 children through two decades of volunteer medical missions to Palestine.
  

2degrees New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o Te Tau 2026 

• Craig Piggott (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through his leadership at Halter, Craig Piggott’s vision is positioning Aotearoa New Zealand at the forefront of global agritech innovation, advancing solutions that benefit farmers, animals, and the environment.
  

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau 2026 

• Mike Casey (Otago Ōtākou) – As an electric farmer and CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, Mike Casey (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa) is a driving force in Aotearoa New Zealand’s transformation towards sustainable energy, reshaping conversations on climate justice and electrification, and proving that green innovation is not only possible but profitable.
  

Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau 2026

• Māhera Maihi (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through her organisation Mā Te Huruhuru, Māhera Maihi (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Muriwhenua) is transforming lives and communities by championing a kaupapa of systemic change, equity, and compassion in tackling homelessness and poverty.

Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau 2026

• Safeguarding Children Initiative (Nelson Whakatū) – The Safeguarding Children Initiative is reshaping our national response to child abuse and neglect, uniting over 85,000 advocates in a shared commitment to protect tamariki and rangatahi.

Fisher Funds New Zealand Legacy Award Te Pou Tūroa 2026

Created in 2024, this award was introduced to recognise a lifetime of outstanding contribution. These individuals have shaped Aotearoa through decades of dedicated mahi, leaving a legacy of leadership, influence and progress that defines who we are – and who we aspire to be. The Winner is selected from the Semi-Finalists in any of our award categories. 

• Dame Lynley Dodd (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi) – Through her extraordinary storytelling and commitment to nurturing literary talent, Dame Lynley Dodd has indelibly shaped New Zealand’s cultural identity and fostered a love of literature in generations of children.