The New Zealander of the Year Awards Office is proud to announce the 100 Tower Local Hero Medallists for the 2026 Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau – an extraordinary group of Kiwi making a positive difference in their communities.
Each of these Medallists is a force for good in their community. With conviction, compassion, and courage, they drive real change – improving lives, strengthening connections, and inspiring others to do the same. Together, they show the best of Aotearoa in action.
In 2025 these Local Hero Medallists continue to step forward – from Kaitaia to Bluff, they’re restoring the environment, feeding and housing whānau, responding in crises, mentoring rangatahi, and proving that leadership begins at the local level.
“As a proud Kiwi-born and bred business, it’s an immense honour for Tower to help shine a light on the people throughout New Zealand who are shaping a better future for all of us. To the 100 local hero medallists – congratulations, this recognition is a true reflection of the impact you’ve had on Aotearoa. On behalf of Team Tower, thank you, keep pushing New Zealand forward,” says Tower CEO Paul Johnston.
“Being acknowledged in this way highlights the importance of supporting our community – it’s a reminder that grassroots efforts, driven by compassion and kindness, really do make a difference in people’s lives. Even small, local actions can ripple outward to create meaningful change,” says Anne Riley – Tower Local Hero Medallist, Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau
Earlier this year, the Awards Office called on Aotearoa to nominate their local heroes, and New Zealanders responded with an incredible number of submissions. After careful consideration, our judges selected 100 outstanding Kiwi to honour as Medallists.
Your 2026 Tower Local Hero Medallists:
- Alan Manning
- Anne Partridge
- Anne Riley
- Annette Hall
- Barbara Hammonds
- Brendan Marshall
- Carma Anderson
- Corey Governor & Whānau
- Cornelia Baumgartner
- Craig Nees
- Davida Simpson
- Debbie Eden
- Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod
- Dr Philip Bagshaw
- Dr Roger Maaka
- Drs Sara Simmons and Rachel Inder
- Fauzia Bashir
- Florence Waaka (Flow)
- Francois Tumahai
- Gary Mitchell
- Gavin Skeats
- Gaye Campbell
- Gillian Naylor
- Gina Eccersall
- Glenda Davies
- Graeme McCullough
- Greg Coppell
- Hannah Kearney
- Hans Van Kregten
- Harlem-Cruz Ihaia
- Helen Robinson
- Helena Stowers
- Jane Ford
- Jason Rive
- Jean Hastie
- Jenine Scoon
- John Paitai
- Josh Hickford
- Joshua Potter-Gardiner
- Judith Heeley
- Karen Richards
- Kathleen Labrado
- Katie and Dean Shannon
- Keegan Jones
- Kevin Williams
- Kiri McKee
- Kris Rasmussen
- Latayvia Tualasea Tautai
- Lee Tepuia
- Leighton Clarke (Uncle Tics)
- Liz Hodge
- Logan Donnelly
- Lynley Stringer
- Lynsey Abbott
- Māhera Maihi
- Maria Baigent
- Megan Fairley
- Melissa Lieser
- Melissa Woodhouse & Brent Eggers
- Mike Walmsley
- Neill Gordon
- Ngaire Wilma Shand
- Nielsen Family
- Pat Gallagher
- Pat Spellman
- Peter Adams
- Philip Reid
- Rachel Hill
- Reweti Ropiha
- Rochelle Howard
- Roddy Hapati Pihema
- Roman Amosa
- Rosemary Sloman
- Russel and Teresa Trow
- Sam Farquhar
- Sam Rasmussen
- Sam Troth
- Sandy Thompson
- Sarah and Roland Devine
- Sarah Page
- Sarah Walker
- Saskia Peel
- Scotty Harvey
- Selina Akhter
- Shane Wallacehoskin
- Siobhan Mikaere
- Sir Michael Jones
- Stephen Hopkinson
- Steve Sawyer
- Symone Hurley
- Tane and Maryjane Manukau
- Te Kawehau Hoskins
- Tere Diamond
- Terri Middleton
- Terry O’Regan
- Timoti Te Moke
- Tyson Ataera
- Valintine Family
- Vicky Harris
- Willy/Wright Whānau
To learn more about the Medallists and their stories, visit https://nzawards.org.nz/local-heroes/
An independent and diverse judging panel made up of 50 judges from across Aotearoa had the challenging task of evaluating and whittling down this year’s Tower Local Hero of the Year nominations to the 100 Medallists we celebrate today. The Medallists are now in the running for the 2026 Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau.
Key Dates:
• Semi-finalists for the Local Hero Award and the six other award categories will beannounced on 11 December 2025
• Finalists will be revealed on 26 February 2026
• Winners will be celebrated at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala on Thursday 19 March 2026
