Young New Zealander of the Year

Young New Zealander of the Year

Young New Zealander of the Year

Te Mātātahi o te Tau

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE

2025

Finalists

Recognising young leaders aged 15 to 30 whose ideas, energy, and commitment are transforming Aotearoa. These are the rangatahi challenging the status quo, lifting up others, and laying the groundwork for a more connected, inclusive, and ambitious future.

Nominees of this Award must:

Be aged between 15-30 years, at the open of nominations in July.
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 Awards Conditions of Entry.

Judging Criteria

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 the 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

2025

Semi Finalists

Lucy Blakiston

Marlborough Te Tauihu-o-te-waka

Lucy Blakiston, a dynamic young changemaker from Marlborough, is the founder and CEO of the influential media platform, Shit You Should Care About (SYSCA). With her finger firmly on the pulse of the global conversation, Lucy has transformed SYSCA from a bedroom project into a trusted news source for millions of Gen Zers. Her engaging Instagram platform, boasting over 3 million followers, and her insightful daily newsletter, are testament to her commitment to empower rangatahi worldwide to engage with current issues in an accessible and meaningful way.

In addition to her digital prowess, Lucy has co-authored a powerful guidebook for today’s youth, “Make it Make Sense”, and has been signed by Hollywood’s oldest talent agency, WME. Humble yet impactful, Lucy’s passion for her kaupapa and her love for Aotearoa New Zealand continue to inspire and educate a new generation of socially conscious citizens.

Latayvia Tualasea Tautai

Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Latayvia Tualasea Tautai has dedicated her life – what she calls her “heart work” – to serving under-resourced communities. Having experienced homelessness and poverty as a child, she brings authenticity, empathy, and purpose to every role she holds. Her advocacy has spanned grassroots activism, governance, and international forums, from speaking at the United Nations in New York to supporting whānau in correctional facilities and people experiencing homelessness across Aotearoa.

Recognised with the 2022 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Award for Leadership and Inspiration, Latayvia has led the Y25 Leadership Programme at Y Tāmaki Makaurau, delivered the Schools Programme for World Vision, and now serves as Gender Justice Coordinator at the NZ Council of Trade Unions. Known for her humility, she shares opportunities rather than seeking the spotlight, driven by faith, family values, and a belief in equity. Her unwavering dedication continues to empower others and shape fairer futures for communities across Aotearoa.

Lola Fisher

Manawatū-Whanganui

Lola Fisher, the enterprising co-founder and CEO of Create Happy Media, emerged as a beacon for youth empowerment amidst a year of tumultuous change in Aotearoa. With sheer resilience and tenacity, Lola transformed Create Happy Media into the nation’s largest youth-run media platform, amplifying over 450 narratives from more than 150 young journalists. Despite funding constraints, Lola paused the platform to focus on fortifying the broader youth sector, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to collective impact.

Now serving as Co-Executive Director of Gen-Z Aotearoa, Lola has dedicated herself to mentoring at-risk rangatahi, strengthening youth-led organisations, and ensuring the sustainability and accessibility of youth work. Her leadership, grounded in compassion, equity, and collaboration, has seen her speak at TEDxYouth@Paparangi and alongside UNICEF Aotearoa, advocating for youth representation in media and policy.

Keegan Jones

Northland Te Tai Tokerau

Keegan Jones is a 26-year-old lawyer from Northland whose innovative, people-centred approach is transforming access to justice in Aotearoa. As the founder of The Free Legal Clinics Project Charitable Trust, he has established free, Māori-centric legal clinics in Kerikeri, Whangārei, and Ōtautahi Christchurch, helping nearly 600 people navigate family, land, and criminal law issues.

Keegan’s kaupapa responds to the barriers many Māori face in the legal system, ensuring legal support is accessible, culturally grounded, and dignified. Demonstrating vision, dedication, and compassion, he is changing lives, strengthening whānau and communities, and proving that innovation and service can drive lasting social change. In 2025, his impact was recognised internationally when he became the only New Zealander named to Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 Social Impact list.

Emily McIsaac

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

Emily McIsaac, a trailblazing biotechnologist and co-founder of Daisy Lab, has been challenging the conventions of the dairy industry since 2021. Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, Daisy Lab has pioneered the use of precision fermentation to produce animal-identical dairy proteins, effectively eliminating the need for cows. Under McIsaac’s vision and leadership, the innovative startup has made significant strides, including scaling up production and gaining approval from New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority to expand its genetically modified yeast operations.

McIsaac’s relentless dedication to revolutionising the food system extends beyond the lab. Her commitment to creating scalable, ethical, and environmentally sustainable dairy alternatives has not only advanced scientific research but has also reshaped the conversation on global food systems. Recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2025, McIsaac continues to inspire the next generation of innovators in biotechnology and sustainable food production.

Luke Campbell

Canterbury Waitaha

Luke Campbell, Co-Founder and CEO of VXT, is a visionary entrepreneur who has redefined the intersection of disability and high-performance. Following a life-altering spinal surgery at 15, Luke channelled his adversity into action, setting the wheels in motion for VXT – a game-changing legal tech firm. Over the past year, Luke’s leadership has seen VXT experience substantial growth, challenging traditional workplace norms with a commitment to transparency, flexibility, and shared ownership.

Luke’s influence extends beyond VXT’s walls. His dedication to automating the legal profession’s paperwork has saved lawyers countless hours, and his active mentorship within the startup community has catalysed the growth of other ventures. Luke’s leadership is reshaping the conversation around what values-led, emotionally intelligent leadership should look like, while his commitment to his team’s wellbeing underscores his belief that high-performing workplaces need not be toxic.

Telesia Tanoa’i

Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara

In the past year, 18-year-old Telesia Tanoa’i has emerged as an inspiring cultural storyteller and changemaker. With an international upbringing from Taiwan, Fiji, and Aotearoa, and of Samoan and Fijian heritage, she bridges cultures through film, language preservation, and advocacy for social justice. Telesia’s recent co-creation of youth-led video journals in five Pacific languages, funded by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ Moana Reo programme, has been instrumental in reviving heritage languages and empowering young people to celebrate their identities.

Beyond language revitalisation, Telesia’s filmmaking prowess has garnered international acclaim. Her debut documentary, Telesia 2 the World, has been selected for 17 international film festivals, earning her the title of Best Young Filmmaker at the Best International Film Festival, and Best Student Film at the Lily Indie Film Fest. As a facilitator for the Pasifika Youth Short Film Competition, she has mentored over 500 students, fostering confidence, self-expression, and pride in their heritage.

Nate Wilbourne

Nelson Whakatū

At a mere 17 years old, Nate Wilbourne is already redefining the climate conversation and driving sustainability action in Aotearoa. As the founder of Gen-Z Aotearoa, Nate has spent the past year galvanising thousands of his peers through targeted campaigns, school interventions, and innovative online initiatives. His kaupapa is clear and compelling: rangatahi deserve a seat at the decision-making table, especially when it comes to their future.

Nate’s influence transcends grassroots organising. As a Youth MP, he’s carried the voices of his generation into Parliament, advocating for climate policies that reflect fairness, ambition, and intergenerational responsibility. Whether he’s delivering a TEDx talk or communicating through social media, Nate’s ability to speak the language of rangatahi makes climate action feel accessible, urgent, and hopeful. He is reshaping the narrative around sustainability, demonstrating that it’s not a choice, but an obligation to future generations.

Léon Bristow

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

Léon Bristow, a dynamic Māori and Samoan Art Director at Colenso BBDO and the founder of BEINGS, has been reshaping Aotearoa’s creative industries by championing underrepresented voices. Despite being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour at the age of 11, which led to permanent blindness and epilepsy, Léon courageously turned his personal challenges into a force for systemic change. In the past year, he was ranked the 4th best Art Director globally at Cannes Lions and became the first Māori and only New Zealander in a decade accepted into the Cannes Lions 30 Under 30 Creative Academy.

Beyond the accolades, Léon’s kaupapa is anchored in fostering equity and authentic representation. His groundbreaking casting platform, BEINGS, is a testament to his commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. Through years of advocacy, mentorship, and groundbreaking work, Léon consistently demonstrates that creativity can be a tool for justice and storytelling, a catalyst for structural transformation.

Jorja Miller

Canterbury Waitaha

Raised in a rugby-loving whānau in Te Tihi-o-Maru Timaru, Jorja Miller began her journey with the sport at just four years old, demonstrating an unwavering commitment that would propel her to new heights. In 2022, Jorja leapt onto the global stage, joining the Black Ferns Sevens squad and making an impressive debut at the Rugby World Cup Sevens where she clinched a silver medal. This was merely the prelude to her crowning achievement – securing gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics and becoming Aotearoa New Zealand’s youngest female gold medallist.

Away from the limelight, Jorja remains deeply committed to her roots, actively engaging with local schools and rugby clubs in her hometown of Timaru. Through her leadership and passion, she’s reshaping the narrative for women’s rugby, inspiring rangatahi to chase their sporting aspirations and transforming the face of the sport in Aotearoa.

Previous

winners

Namulau‘ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele

2025

Simran Kaur

2024

Shaneel Lal

2023

Ezra Hirawani

2022

Jazz Thornton

2021

Georgia Hale

2020

Kendall Flutey

2019

David Cameron

2018

Rez Gardi

2017

Lydia Ko

2016

Guy Ryan

2015

Parris Goebel

2014

Sam Judd

2013

Sam Johnson

2012

Jamie Fenton

2011

Divya Dhar

2010

Thanks to our generous sponsor whānau
that make the awards possible

Contact
office@nzawards.org.nz
media@nzawards.org.nz

PO Box 1158
Christchurch 8140 New Zealand

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