Meet the 2020 New Zealander of the Year Semi-Finalists

We are proud to introduce our 60 semi-finalists, all extraordinary Kiwis whose selflessness, dedication, creativity, and vision make us proud to call New Zealand home.

There are 10 semi-finalists in each of our six award categories. Use the links below to find out who they are. 

The finalists in each category will be announced on 27 January 2020.

Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 

Peter Beck
David Downs
Anne Gaze
Professor Jane Harding
Tapu Misa
Dr Helen Petousis-Harris
Anjum Rahman
Stacey Shortall
Dame Margaret Sparrow
Jennifer Ward-Lealand Te Atamira CNZM

Read more about our 10 semi-finalists

The University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year

Tabby Besley
Georgia Hale
Sophie Handford
Fraser McConnell
Bilal Nasier
Pania Newton
Ezekiel Raui
Eliette Roslin
Edward Uini
Shay Wright

Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year

Billy Apple, ONZM, NZ Arts Foundation ICON
Professor Michael Corballis
Professor Bob Elliott
Sue Kedgley
Lexie Matheson
Pratima Nand, QSM JP
Professor John Ormiston
Miriam Saphira
Dame Margaret June Sparrow
Dr Rosamund Vallings

Read more about our 10 semi-finalists

Trade Me New Zealand Innovator of the Year

Sean Molloy – Avertana
Bill Buckley - Buckley Systems Ltd
Peter Barrow - Enviroplaz – Plazrok
Dr Philip Elmer - Plant & Food Research
Professor Jane Harding
Hivemind
Fady Mishriki
Dr Mark Sagar – Soul Machines
Steven Saunders & Alistair Scarfe – Robotics Plus
Aliesha Staples – Staples VR

Read more about our 10 semi-finalists

Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year

Asian Events Trust
Baby Loss NZ
The Common Unity Project Aotearoa
Communicare - Civilian Maimed Association (Ak) Inc
Foster Hope Charitable Trust
Good Bitches Baking Trust
Menzshed NZ
Merge Community
The Voices of Hope Trust
ZEALANDIA (Karori Sanctuary Trust)

Read more about our 10 semi-finalists

Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year

Kenneth (Ken) Clearwater
Helen Jackson
Nick Loosley
Hannah Noble
Hilary Price
Irene Joy Rama
Karla Sanders
John Sumich
Jazz Thornton
Diane Yalden

Read more about our 10 semi-finalists