Local Hero Regional Judges

Meet our Local Hero Regional Judges. Each region is made up of at least three 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.

Northland Te Tai Tokerau Regional Judges

• Clint Warfe, Hub Manager, Kiwibank Whangārei
• Gavin Benney, Councillor and Chair of Community Development, Whangārei District Council
• Rachel Ward, Editor, NZME

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau Judges

• Alf Filipaina, Manukau Ward Councillor, Auckland Council
• Brenda Brady JP, Deputy Chairperson, Henderson-Massey Local Board
• Brodie Kane, Broadcaster, Brodie Kane Media
• Chris Mears, Regional Manager, Kiwibank Auckland
• Jo Kupa, Mortage Area Manager, Kiwibank Auckland
• Kauen Nauer, Regional Manager, Kiwibank Auckland North
• Melanie Earley, Auckland Reporter, Stuff
• Shane Henderson, Councillor, Auckland Council
• Sonia Harvey, Business Credit Manager, Kiwibank Auckland
• Tori Tokalau, Senior Reporter, Stuff

Waikato Judges

• Andrew Leiataua, Broadcaster, More FM Taupō
• Anna Park, Councillor, Taupō District Council
• Darren Tarry, Regional Manager, Kiwibank Central North Island
• Duncan Brough, Commercial Head of SME, Stuff

Bay of Plenty Te Moana-a-Toi Judges

• Eddie Stocks, Area Manager, Kiwibank Waikato
• Paul Hickey, Broadcaster, The Hit's Rotorua
• Stacey Rose, Councillor, Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Gisborne Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay Te Matau-a-Māui Judges

• Adam Green, Broadcaster, The Hit's Hawke's Bay
• Jeremy Muir, Editor, The Gisborne Herald
• Máirín Gallagher, Contact Center Manager, Kiwibank Gisborne and Hawke's Bay
• Meng Foon, Race Relations Commissioner, New Zealand Human Rights Commission

Taranaki, Manawatū and Whanganui Judges

• Jayden Devonshire, Commercial Manager, Kiwibank Taranaki
• Judith Lacy, Editor, The Manawatū Guardian
• Peter Tennet, QSO, JP, Taranaki

Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara Judges

• Madelaine Empson, Editor, Regional News
• Sarah Free, Deputy Mayor, Wellington City Council
• Tracy Nyhan, Bank Manager, Kiwibank Paraparaumu and Levin

Tasman Te Tai-o-Aorere, Nelson Whakatū and Marlborough Te Tauihu-o-te-Waka Judges

• Alwyn Beach, Business Manager, Kiwibank Nelson
• Ian Allen, Editor, Marlborough Express
• Jenny Andrews, Councillor, Marlborough District Council
• Victoria Guild, Nelson Regional Editor, Stuff

West Coast Tai-o-Poutini Judges

• Debra Norton, Hub Manager, Kiwibank West Coast
• Paul Madgwick, Editor, The Greymouth Star
• Sarah Brown, Community Development Advisor, Westland District Council

Canterbury Waitaha Judges

• Brent Hefford, Regional Manager, Kiwibank Christchurch
• Charlotte Smith Smulders, Publisher, Allied Press Magazines
• James Christie, Regional Manager, Kiwibank Southern Business Banking
• Keith Lynch, Explainer Editor, Stuff
• Sally Parker, Councillor, Timaru District Council
• Yani Johnson, Councillor, Christchurch City Council

Otago Ōtākou and Southland Murihiku Judges

• Andrew Noone, Chairperson, Otago Regional Council
• Barry Stewart, Editor, Otago Daily Times
• Graeme Wilson, Branch Manager, Kiwibank Invercargill
• Leon Prytherch, Bank Manager, Kiwibank Queenstown
• Richard Owen, Area Manager, Kiwibank Canterbury
• Tim Cadogan, Mayor, Central Otago District