Meet your 2025 Semi-Finalists

Kiwibank

New Zealander of the Year

Kiwibank

New Zealander of the Year

Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa

Kiwibank

2025

Semi-Finalists

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The most prestigious national award in the Awards Programme, honouring people for their outstanding impact and contribution to our country. With unwavering dedication and a deep commitment, these remarkable people are those New Zealand is proud to call their own.

Nominees of this Award must:

  • Be an individual that – through their achievements – has made an outstanding contribution to our country.
  • Have had significant impact on Aotearoa, particularly over the last 12 months.
  • Be a role model for New Zealanders.
  • 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, particularly over the past 12 months, to nominate them as the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa.
  • 10 points: PURPOSE:
    Who benefits from the work, contribution, or influence of this person – and how?
  • 10 points: LEADERSHIP:
    How does this person set a positive example for other fellow New Zealanders.
  • 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: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & INNOVATIVE THINKING:
    How thoughtful, creative, and unique is this person’s approach to their challenge, opportunity, or situation?
  • 10 points: PROVEN IMPACT:
    How has this person clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their area of influence? How is has this been measured?
  • 10 points: LONG-TERM IMPACT:
    If known, how does this person 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?

Conditions of Entry

Previous

winners

Dr Jim Salinger

2024

Professor Rangi Mātāmua

2023

Tā Tipene O′Regan

2022

Dr Siouxsie Wiles MNZM

2021

Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand

2020

Mike King

2019

Kristine Bartlett

2018

Taika Waititi

2017

Richie McCaw

2016

Sir Stephen Tindall

2015

Dr Lance O′Sullivan

2014

Dame Anne Salmond

2013

Sir Richard Taylor

2012

Sir Paul Callaghan

2011

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