Meet your 2025 Finalists

University of Canterbury

Young New Zealander of the Year

University of Canterbury

Young New Zealander of the Year

Te Mātātahi o te Tau

University of Canterbury

2025

Finalists

Alexia Hilbertidou

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

Alexia Hilbertidou is a trailblazing young leader and social entrepreneur driven by the motto, “you are never too young to create change.” At 16, she founded GirlBoss New Zealand, now the country’s largest network for young women, with 17,500 members. Through GirlBoss, Alexia has created initiatives that empower young women, providing free access to mentorship, training, and leadership opportunities. Her flagship programme, GirlBoss Edge, has helped over 5,000 young women—particularly from rural areas—gain industry-specific training and one-on-one mentorship, with 93% of participants describing it as “life-changing.”

Alexia has forged partnerships with over 50 corporate and government agencies, ensuring GirlBoss programmes remain accessible to all. She has spoken at over 300 schools and events, inspiring youth across New Zealand. On the global stage, she has spoken at major conferences such as the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and One Young World, alongside leaders like Richard Branson and Meghan Markle. As a National Geographic Explorer, NASA Scientific Communicator, and Facebook Leadership Fellow, Alexia is shaping New Zealand’s future leaders and empowering a generation to break barriers and create social impact.

Ben Purua

Waikato

Ben Purua (Tainui) embodies resilience, transformation, and hope – emerging from a troubled past to become an inspiring leader in New Zealand’s agricultural sector. Growing up amid gangs and violence, Ben was ultimately charged with manslaughter at 15 and served time at Waikeria Prison. There, he discovered a passion for farming, which fuelled his determination to turn his life around. Today, Ben holds the title of Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year and was named Dairy Manager of the Year for the Central Plateau region – but his impact goes well beyond these personal accolades.

With compassion and dedication, Ben is now supporting ex-prisoners, troubled youth, and individuals battling addiction to find purpose and employment in agriculture. Through his mentoring programmes and initiatives like Kāmu to Pāmu, Ben empowers others to believe that change is possible. As a leader on the He Tātai Rangahua Food and Fibre Youth Network, Ben champions opportunities that break cycles of hardship. His ultimate vision to create a transition farm that supports individuals leaving prison, aiding reintegration and providing a pathway to a brighter future.

Namulau‘ulu Nu‘uali‘i Eteroa Lafaele

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

Namulau‘ulu Nu‘uali‘i Eteroa Lafaele (Fogapoa, Leulumoega Tuai, Lefaga) is a globally recognised Samoan leader and software engineer from Cannons Creek, Porirua, forging new pathways to bridge the digital divide for Pacific communities in Aotearoa. As the founder of DigiTautua, she delivered refurbished devices to families in need during COVID-19, and as co-founder of Fibre Fale, she is creating innovative pathways into technology for Pacific people.

Under her leadership, Fibre Fale has made an extraordinary impact in under two years, empowering over 6,650 people through in-person programs and reaching over 3 million people online. Eteroa has led groundbreaking initiatives, including the first Pacific Tech Careers Expo, tech-focused community events, mentorship programs, and leadership camps tailored for Pacific youth.

A celebrated changemaker, Eteroa has received prestigious accolades such as Forbes 30 Under 30 in Social Impact, the Young IT Professional of the Year, and the NZ Hi-Tech Young Achiever Award. Her work, blending cultural insight with cutting-edge vision, has amplified Pasifika voices in tech and inspired the next generation. Passionate about service and innovation, Eteroa is redefining what it means to lead with purpose and heart on both local and global stages.

The leaders of tomorrow, brimming with the potential to build a bright future for Aotearoa. These people strive to improve themselves, their communities, and their nation.

Nominees of this Award must:

  • Be aged between 15-30 years, at the open of nominations on 24 July 2024.
  • Have had significant positive impact over the past 12 months.
  • Be a role model for young New Zealanders and highlight that change is possible at any age.
  • Meet the Awards Conditions of Entry.

Judges will review each nominee using the following criteria:

  • 10 points: OVERALL INSPIRATION
    Describe the person you are nominating and what they’ve done to inspire you over the past year to nominate them as 2025 University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau.
  • 10 points: PURPOSE:
    Who benefits from this person’s work, contribution, or influence – and how?
  • 10 points: LEADERSHIP:
    How does this person set a positive example for other young people and showing them the potential for change.
  • 10 points: COMMITMENT:
    Describe the commitment of time, risks, and challenges overcome to create an impact to this point (this may still be ongoing). What have they done that has gone above and beyond to show leadership, create change, and give back?
  • 10 points: PROVEN IMPACT:
    How has this person clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their area of influence? How has this been measured?
  • 10 points: LONG-TERM IMPACT:
    If known, how does the nominee plan to grow and/or adapt their work, contribution, or influence in the future? How would winning this award impact this person and the work that they are doing?

 

Conditions of Entry

Previous

winners

Simran Kaur

2024

Shaneel Lal

2023

Ezra Hirawani

2022

Jazz Thornton

2021

Georgia Hale

2020

Kendall Flutey

2019

David Cameron

2018

Rez Gardi

2017

Dame Lydia Ko, 2016 Young New Zealander of the Year

Lydia Ko

2016

Guy Ryan

2015

Parris Goebel

2014

Sam Judd

2013

2012 Young New Zealander of the Year Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson

2012

2011 Young New Zealander of the Year Jamie Fenton

Jamie Fenton

2011

2010 Young New Zealander of the Year Divya Dhar.

Divya Dhar

2010

Search