This year, the Awards Office is delighted to welcome 2degrees as the naming rights sponsor of the 2degrees New Zealand Innovator of the Year Award Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau. Innovation is core to who we are as a nation – from world-changing ideas to clever community solutions – and 2degrees’ backing helps us celebrate those creating what’s next for Aotearoa.

“We are incredibly proud to be able to present the Innovation Award category. There’s a long heritage of Kiwi innovation that has changed the world for the better. Innovation, smart thinking, boosting productivity, and harnessing technical advancements is core to what 2degrees does as a business, and to be able to highlight leaders in this area is a real privilege. We look forward to seeing the finalists and celebrating Kiwi success.” – Mark Callander, Chief Executive, 2degrees

2degrees joins the existing sponsor whānau, including Kiwibank, Mitre 10, Ryman Healthcare, Tower and Fisher Funds.

Nominations can be made in one or more of the seven Awards by any member of the public over 15 years of age until Sunday 24 August 2025 at nzawards.org.nz.

For individuals:

• Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa
• Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau
• Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātapuputu o te Tau
• Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau
• 2degrees New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau
• New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau 

For duos or groups: 

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

Nominations will then be rigorously evaluated by regional and national judging panels which include sector leaders, independent experts, community leaders, and representatives of the Awards sponsors.

Tower Local Hero Medal recipients are awarded throughout the month of November. Semi-Finalists for the seven award categories are announced December 2025, with the top three Finalists in each award announced February 2026. The Winners will be announced in March 2026 at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.