Dame Claudia Orange

Senior New Zealander of the Year

Finalist

Ryman Healthcare

Senior New Zealander of the Year

Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau

View all Senior New Zealander of the Year 2026 Finalists

Dame Claudia Orange

For nearly four decades, Dame Claudia Orange has shaped the way New Zealanders understand their past and, in doing so, their national identity. Her groundbreaking 1987 book The Treaty of Waitangi brought clarity and credibility to a subject long clouded by misunderstanding. It became an instant classic, selling more than 50,000 copies and changing the national conversation about te Tiriti o Waitangi. Companion works such as The Story of a Treaty and An Illustrated History of the Treaty of Waitangi remain staples of classrooms and libraries nationwide.

At 87, Dame Claudia remains an active and respected voice in the country’s historical life. Over the past few years she has continued to research Treaty, deliver public lectures across the motu, and advise on key heritage projects such as He Tohu and Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi. Present at Waitangi Day and at Parliament for the 2025 return of Ōrākau to Tainui, she continues to bring wisdom and clarity to national conversations.

This award honours New Zealanders aged 70+ who continue to shape Aotearoa through wisdom, action, and care. Far from winding down, they are still building legacies – using their experience to lead, serve, and make lasting impact.

Nominees of this Award must:

Be over the age of 70, at the open of nominations in July.
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.

Award Criteria

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 the 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)?