Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod
New Zealand Local Hero of the Year
Finalist
Tower
New Zealand Local Hero of the Year
Te Pou Toko o te Tau
Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod
Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod (Ngāti Kahungunu) is a distinguished Māori leader, reo revitalisation strategist, and grassroots visionary who has dedicated his life to strengthening identity, belonging, and cultural integrity across Aotearoa. Born to Māori parents and raised in Australia, Jeremy’s journey back to Aotearoa in 2004 to reclaim his language and identity has inspired many. His leadership, founded on cultural fluency and integrity, spans across marae, iwi, and national platforms, including his transformational role as Director of Reo, Tikanga & Mātauranga for Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated from 2010–2023.
Today, Jeremy serves as a Commissioner on Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, advises iwi and government through his consultancy Kauwaka, and mentors rangatahi and whānau through kaupapa such as Te Pōkaitara and kōhanga reo. His vision for revitalisation is long-term and whakapapa-driven – restoring dialect, tikanga, and cultural vitality for generations to come. Respected across iwi and communities, Jeremy exemplifies leadership born of service, integrity, and a commitment to building a future where te reo Māori and Māori culture flourish.
Today, Jeremy serves as a Commissioner on Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, advises iwi and government through his consultancy Kauwaka, and mentors rangatahi and whānau through kaupapa such as Te Pōkaitara and kōhanga reo. His vision for revitalisation is long-term and whakapapa-driven – restoring dialect, tikanga, and cultural vitality for generations to come. Respected across iwi and communities, Jeremy exemplifies leadership born of service, integrity, and a commitment to building a future where te reo Māori and Māori culture flourish.
This award acknowledges those whose actions have had a significant and lasting impact in their communities. These quiet champions don’t wait for change – they create it. With conviction, care, and follow-through, our Local Hero recipients reflect the Aotearoa we all want to live in.
Nominees of this Award must:
- Be an individual, duo or whānau/family who has made (or is making) a significant contribution to their region, town, suburb, community (be it geographical community, or community of specific interest), iwi, or local group.
- Have had significant impact over the last 12 months.
- Be a role model for New Zealanders and highlight selflessness for their community.
- Meet Awards Conditions of Entry.
Judges will review each nominee using the following criteria:
- 10 points: OVERALL INSPIRATION:
Describe the person (or people) you are nominating and what they’ve done to inspire you over the past year to nominate them as New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau. - 10 points: PURPOSE:
Who benefits from their work, contribution, or influence – and how? - 10 points: LEADERSHIP:
How do they set a positive example for other members of their local community? - 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 to show leadership, create change, and give back? - 10 points: PROVEN IMPACT:
How have they clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their local community? (be it geographical community, or community of specific interest).
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How do the New Zealand Local Hero Awards work?
- All Local Hero nominations are divided up into their regions across Aotearoa.
- Nominations for each region are then sent on to the panel Local Hero Judges for that area, for their consideration – who score the nominees based on the criteria above.
- The top 100 (highest scoring) Local Hero nominees across New Zealand will be honoured as the Local Hero Medallists.
- The 100 Local Hero Medallists will also go forward into the next round of Awards judging, to be considered for the national title of New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau. The 10 semi-finalists for this national title will be announced in December, the top three finalists in February, and the ultimate winner will be revealed at our Awards Gala in March.
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