AOTEAROA, HERE ARE YOUR 2021 FINALISTS

If there was ever a time to celebrate what connects New Zealanders – our people – it's now. Aotearoa, it's time to introduce you to your 2021 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards – Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa finalists!

We hope you'll join us in raising the roof for these eighteen legendary New Zealanders. Together, they've made it from our original long list – featuring thousands of nominations – to the final three in each of their respective categories. If we do say so ourselves, that's a feat worth celebrating.  

So, without further ado, meet your 2021 finalists.

Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year – Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa

• Farid Ahmed (Christchurch Ōtautahi) – Muslim community leader who has become an icon of forgiveness following the 15 March terror attacks
  
• Ranjna Patel, ONZM, QSM, JP (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) –  Founder and Director of Tamaki Health and domestic violence social entrepreneur
  
• Dr Siouxsie Wiles, MNZM (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Microbiologist and science communicator

Read more about these 3 finalists

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

• Dr Zhiyan Basharati (Christchurch Ōtautahi) – Founder of Christchurch Victims Organising Committee
• Brianna Fruean (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Environmentalist and voice of Pacific youth on climate change
  
• Jazz Thornton (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Co-founder of Voice of Hope and mental health advocate
  

Read more about these 3 finalists

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

• Robert Tuahuru Edwards (Ōpōtiki) – Chairman of the Te Whakatōhea committee
• Alison McLellan (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Founding member and advocate for The Brain Injury Association
  
• Dr Doug Wilson (Taupō) – Medical academic and author

Read more about these 3 finalists

Trade Me New Zealand Innovator of the Year – Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau

• Craig Piggott (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – CEO of Halter Limited
  
• Kami: Hengjie Wang, Alliv Samson, Jordan Thoms, Bob Drummond (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Founders of the education application, Kami
  
• Ranjna Patel, QSM, JP (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) –  Founder and Director of Tamaki Health and domestic violence social entrepreneur

Read more about these 3 finalists

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

• Christchurch Mosque Victims Group (Christchurch Ōtautahi) – Supporting people and victims affected by the Christchurch Mosque attacks
  
• Te Puea Memorial Marae Indigenous Homeless Service Delivery Model (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Response to homelessness in Tāmaki Makaurau
  
• Trees That Count (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – Helping Kiwis plant native trees to make an impact on climate change

Read more about these 3 finalists

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

• Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tapua'i (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Voice for South Auckland students during Covid-19 hardship
  
• Mataio Brown (Christchurch Ōtautahi) – Founder of Shes Not Your Rehab and My Fathers Barber
  
• Shannon Te Huia (Waikato) – Environmental Engineer at Waka Huia Limited

Read more about these 3 finalists