Harlem-Cruz Ihaia
Young New Zealander of the Year
Finalist
Go Media
Young New Zealander of the Year
Te Mātātahi o te Tau
Harlem-Cruz Ihaia
Harlem-Cruz Ihaia (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Hineuru, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Maniapoto) is a 27-year-old wāhine Māori leader, mother of five (including two whāngai she welcomed at age 20), and founder of one of Aotearoa’s most comprehensive Māori-led whānau empowerment ecosystems. At just 18 years old, Harlem was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand, a milestone that ignited her passion for service, advocacy, and community transformation.
Through her organisation Pūrotu Limited, Harlem has created programmes that support every stage of the whānau journey, babies, tamariki, rangatahi, adults, generating intergenerational impact across communities, hapū, and iwi. Her flagship kaupapa Hine Pūrotu, Āhuru Mōwai, and Making Moves have supported over 1,000 whānau with hauora, crisis support, personal development, and work-readiness pathways. Harlem has dedicated 2,000+ voluntary hours to this mahi, demonstrating deep commitment to uplifting Māori futures. In 2025, Pūrotu Limited was named Social Enterprise of the Year at the Māori Women’s Development Inc (MWDI) Awards.
She is now leading the establishment of Te Kōhanga Reo o Reremoana Ruruhira, a kōhanga reo dedicated to revitalising te reo Māori for future generations. As a proud member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, Harlem contributes to hauora and wellbeing initiatives for Māori women and whānau. Grounded in whakapapa, resilience, and vision, Harlem-Cruz Ihaia is reshaping what community transformation looks like in Aotearoa.
Through her organisation Pūrotu Limited, Harlem has created programmes that support every stage of the whānau journey, babies, tamariki, rangatahi, adults, generating intergenerational impact across communities, hapū, and iwi. Her flagship kaupapa Hine Pūrotu, Āhuru Mōwai, and Making Moves have supported over 1,000 whānau with hauora, crisis support, personal development, and work-readiness pathways. Harlem has dedicated 2,000+ voluntary hours to this mahi, demonstrating deep commitment to uplifting Māori futures. In 2025, Pūrotu Limited was named Social Enterprise of the Year at the Māori Women’s Development Inc (MWDI) Awards.
She is now leading the establishment of Te Kōhanga Reo o Reremoana Ruruhira, a kōhanga reo dedicated to revitalising te reo Māori for future generations. As a proud member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, Harlem contributes to hauora and wellbeing initiatives for Māori women and whānau. Grounded in whakapapa, resilience, and vision, Harlem-Cruz Ihaia is reshaping what community transformation looks like in Aotearoa.
Recognising young leaders aged 15 to 30 whose ideas, energy, and commitment are transforming Aotearoa. These are the rangatahi challenging the status quo, lifting up others, and laying the groundwork for a more connected, inclusive, and ambitious future.
Nominees of this Award must:
- Be aged between 15-30 years, at the open of nominations in July.
- Have had significant positive impact over the past 12 months.
- Be a role model for young 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 to inspire you over the past year to nominate them as the Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau. - 10 points: PURPOSE:
Who benefits from this person’s work, contribution, or influence – and how? - 10 points: LEADERSHIP:
How does this person set a positive example for other young people and showing them the potential for change. - 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 has this person clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their area of influence? How has this been measured? - 10 points: LONG-TERM IMPACT:
If known, how does the nominee plan to grow and/or adapt their work, contribution, or influence in the future? How would winning this award impact this person and the work that they are doing?
2025
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