Bill Day MNZM JP
Senior New Zealander of the Year
Finalist
Ryman Healthcare
Senior New Zealander of the Year
Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau
Bill Day MNZM JP
As the founder of the Wellington Hospitals Foundation, Bill Day MNZM JP has spent two decades championing healthcare in New Zealand. Driven by his innate compassion, Bill built the Foundation from the ground up, resulting in a vital organisation that has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of parents and families across the country. His remarkable leadership has helped raise over $160million to support our hospitals across the Wellington region – contributing to life-saving equipment, advanced medical technology, and major initiatives such as Wellington’s new Regional Children’s Hospital, which opened in 2022.
Additionally, Bill brought together a hospital volunteer programme that mobilises almost 500 dedicated individuals to provide thousands of hours in support each year. Though he stepped back from day-today operations in 2024, Bill remains the voluntary Chair of the Board and actively champions the Foundation. Widely respected in Wellington, he also continues his long association with Life Flight, Wellington Free Ambulance, and youth mental health initiatives, making him an inspiring senior leader with a legacy of impact.
Additionally, Bill brought together a hospital volunteer programme that mobilises almost 500 dedicated individuals to provide thousands of hours in support each year. Though he stepped back from day-today operations in 2024, Bill remains the voluntary Chair of the Board and actively champions the Foundation. Widely respected in Wellington, he also continues his long association with Life Flight, Wellington Free Ambulance, and youth mental health initiatives, making him an inspiring senior leader with a legacy of impact.
Creating a legacy for tomorrow, these people have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in their life, following their careers in any service, sector or field. They are actively involved in making the world around them a better place.
Nominees of this Award must:
- Be over the age of 70, at the open of nominations on 24 July 2024.
- Have had significant impact in their senior years
- Be a role model for New Zealanders and highlight that change is possible at any age
- Meet Awards Conditions of Entry.
Judges will review each nominee using the following criteria:
- 10 points: OVERALL INSPIRATION:
Describe the person you are nominating and what they’ve done later in life to inspire you to nominate them as 2025 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau. - 10 points: PURPOSE:
Who benefits from the work, contribution, or influence of this person – and how? - 10 points: LEADERSHIP & SERVICE:
How does this person set a positive example of being a senior member of the community – showing potential for making change at any age. - 10 points: COMMITMENT:
Describe the commitment of time, risks, and challenges overcome to create an impact to this point (this may still be ongoing). What have they done that has gone above and beyond following their career, achievements, or service to create change and give back? - 10 points: PROVEN IMPACT:
How has this person clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their area of influence, particularly during their senior years? How has this been measured? - 10 points: LEGACY
How would winning this award impact this person’s legacy and their mahi (past or present)?
2025
Finalists
