Welcoming our inaugural Judge Chair

This new role has been introduced to the Awards Programme to oversee a fair and transparent judging process – including reviewing due diligence, managing conflicts of interest and chairing the Executive Judging Day.

Image Credit: Dean Purcell for NZ Herald

Hon. Justice Simon Moore KC

The Hon. Justice Simon Moore graduated from Otago University with a BA (Hons) and LLB in 1980. He was admitted to the Bar in 1982, and three years later, he became a partner at Meredith Connell, a leading Auckland Crown Solicitors firm. In 1994, he was appointed Crown Solicitor for Auckland, a position he held for 20 years. During that time, he chaired the partnership and represented the Crown in many high-profile criminal trials.

In 2008, he was appointed King’s Counsel (KC), and six years later, in 2014, he was appointed to the High Court of New Zealand. As a Judge, Justice Moore has chaired several committees and managed the Criminal Lists for a number of years. He later took on the role of Civil List and Executive Judge of the Auckland High Court, a position he held until mid-2024. As a judge, one of his most notable cases was the trial of Jesse Kempson, who was convicted of the murder of Grace Millane.

Justice Moore will soon take on the role of Chair of the Electoral Commission, after retiring from the Bench at the end of 2024.

He and his wife, Jane, have been married for 44 years. Together, they have three sons and five mokopuna.

Meet our 2025 Executive Judges

12 independent, respected New Zealanders that select the finalists and winners.

They offer diversity of industry, social and cultural, entrepreneurship, and innovation backgrounds, ensuring our prestigious Awards honour the extraordinary New Zealanders making Aotearoa a better place.

• Sir Ashley Bloomfield KNZM —Interim Chief Executive, ESR – Science and Research
• Caren Rangi, ONZM —Interim Chief Executive – Cook Islands Development Agency of New Zealand (CIDANZ)
• Dan Te Whenua Walker — Senior Partner Development Manager for Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft, Deputy Chair, NZ Māori Tourism and Director,
  Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
• Geoff Ensor — Director, Red Hut Leadership Services and Former Department of Conservation Director of Commercial Partnerships
• Dame Professor Juliet Gerrard — Professor, University of Auckland, Former Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor
• Kendall Flutey — Co-Founder & CPO of Banqer
• Paddy Gower —Journalist
• Robyn Baker ONZM — Chair, NZ Teaching Council
• Robyn Scott-Vincent —Founder Attitude Pictures Ltd & com
• Steve Jurkovich —CEO, Kiwibank
• Theresa Gattung DNZM —Chair, Global Women
• Dame Valerie Adams DNZM —Athlete and Chair, World Athletics Athletes’ Commission

Meet our 2025 Category Judges

Our seven Category Judging Panels are made up of some of the brightest minds from a number of fields, offering expertise within their given categories. They’re tasked with the job of whittling down the hundreds of nominees to just 10 Semi-Finalists that are representative of the best of the best within the award category — to go forward for Executive Judging.

Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa

• Rachel Smalley MNZM (HEAD JUDGE), Journalist
• Arihia Bennett CNZM, National Commissioner South, Tamariki & Whanau Services, Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children
• Jim Boult CNZM, Former Queenstown Lakes District Mayor
• Sir Graham Henry KNZM, Former All Blacks Coach

University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau

• Jamie Fenton (HEAD JUDGE) Senior Data Analyst at Health NZ and 2011 Young New Zealander of the Year
• Kauri Tearaura, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lead, Department of Internal Affairs
• Shay Wright, Co Founder, Te Whare Hukahuka
• Simran Kaur, Founder, Girls That Invest and 2024 Young New Zealander of the Year
• Stephanie Benseman, Head of Portfolio Services Icehouse Ventures

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

• Meng Foon (HEAD JUDGE), Former Race Relations Commissioner
• Dame Diana Crosson, Former Retirement Commissioner
• Karen Billing-Jensen, Chief Executive Age Concern New Zealand
• Bob Francis, 2024 Senior NZ’er of the Year

Spark New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau

• Sonya Williams (HEAD JUDGE), Co-Founder and CEO, Sharesies
• Rachel Taulelei, Co-Founder, Oho
• Olivia Blaylock, The Icehouse, Chief Executive Officer
• Paul Atkins, Chief Executive at the Royal Society Te Apārangi
• Dr Mark Sagar, New Zealand Innovator of the Year 2022
• Andrew Clews, Head of HealthTech Whare – Callaghan Innovation

Genesis New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau

• Brent Beaven (HEAD JUDGE), Director, Predator Free 2050, DOC
• Brianne West, Founder & CEO of Incrediballs 
• Prof. Bronwyn Hayward MNZM, Professor of Political Science at UC
• Mark Fenwick, Marine Ecologist, NIWA
• Annabell Chartres, Sustainability, Climate & Nature Leader at PwC New Zealand

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

• Sam Johnson (HEAD JUDGE), Founder of Student Volunteer Army & Director of Projects at STILL
• Alexis LewGor MNZM, Prev Chairman Rotorua Multicultural Council/Chair Person Pasifika Community Rotorua
• Dr Jason Tuhoe, General Practitioner, Chair of Te Akoranga a Māui
• Leighton Evans, Chief Executive, Rātā Foundation
• Ezekiel Raui, Head of Foundation One New Zealand
• Sharon Brettkelly, Journalist

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

• Rachel Māia (HEAD JUDGE), New Zealand Para climber
• Dr Ranjna Patel ONZM QSM, Founder of the Gandhi Nivas and 2021 Innovator of the Year
• Sarah Page, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Kindness Collective Foundation
• Mark Crysell, Journalist

Meet our 2025 Local Hero Regional Judges

Each regional panel is made up of Regional Judges from a variety of backgrounds – media, corporate and local government. We seek those community-minded people with their fingers on the pulse of who is creating real, tangible impact within their region. They’re entrusted with determining our Top 100 Local Hero Medallists’ who will go forward for Category Judging.

2025 Local Hero Regional Judges

Alf Filipaina, Manukau Ward Councillor, Auckland Council
Anita Nandan, Kiwibank
Anna Park, Councillor, Taupō District Council
Anna Richardson, Former More FM Breakfast Show Host, Taranaki
Anne Lovich, Kiwibank, Whangarei
Brett Mercer, Kiwibank
Carol Peters, Councillor, Whangārei District Council 
Celeste Donovan, Councillor for Coastal Ward, Christchurch City Council
Damian Newell, Host, The Breeze, Dunedin
Dr Nick Smith, Mayor of Nelson
Hilary Muir, Host, The Breeze, Canterbury
Ingrid Papau, Board member, Henderson-Massey Local Board
Joel Brading, Kiwibank, Christchurch
Josie Carter, Kiwibank
Kate Brown, Kiwibank, Tauranga
Ken Shirley, Councillor, Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Ken Swan, More FM Breakfast Host, Taranaki
Kenny Roache, Kiwibank, Wellington
Kirsten Rowe, Kiwibank, Christchurch
Kirstie Scott, Kiwibank, Dunedin
Matai Smith, Station Manager, Tūranga FM
Meg Mansell, Radio Host, The Edge
Melissa Ruffel, Kiwibank
Nathan Ryba, Kiwibank, Manawatu/Whanganui/Taranaki
Neil Gillespie, Deputy Mayor, Central Otago District
Nikki Brown, Kiwibank, Greater Napier-Hastings Area
Nureddin Abdurahman, Councilor, Paekawakawa/Southern Ward, Wellington
Paul Madgwick, Editor, The Greymouth Star
Peter Tennent, QSO, JP, Taranaki
Rachel Ward, Editor – Northern Advocate, NZME
Raylene Abbott, Kiwibank, Greymouth
Rehette Stoltz, Mayor, Gisborne
Roy Pilott, Te Awamutu Editorial Director
Scott Shannon, Councillor, Timaru District Council
Serina De Silva, Kiwibank, Wellington
Shane Henderson, Councillor, Auckland Council
Tim Cadogan, Mayor, Central Otago District
Tori Tokalau, Senior Reporter, Stuff
Tui Shortland, Councillor & Chair, Northland Regional Council