Awards
Alumni
Since 2010, the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa have recognised an extraordinary cohort of New Zealanders – individuals and groups who lead with courage, vision, and heart.
Together, our alumni represent the broad sweep of brilliance across the motu – from grassroots advocates and cultural leaders to scientists, entrepreneurs, and community builders.
In March, we welcomed the latest additions to that legacy: eight remarkable people whose impact over the past year has shaped Aotearoa for the better.
Pictured left to right:
TOP: Professor Bev Lawton ONZM, Subash Chandar K, Emma Lewisham, Namulau’ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele.
BOTTOM: Deborah Manning ONZM, Lake Alice Survivors and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights New Zealand, Elizabeth Ellis CNZM JP, Sir Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood.
| Professor Bev Lawton ONZM | New Zealander of the Year |
| Namulau‘ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Elizabeth Ellis CNZM JP | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Emma Lewisham | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Lake Alice Survivors and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights New Zealand | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Subash Chandar K | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Deborah Manning ONZM | New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year |
| Sir Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood | New Zealand Legacy Award |
| Dr Jim Salinger CRSNZ | New Zealander of the Year |
| Simran Kaur | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Bob Francis CNZM QSO MBE JP | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Cecilia Robinson | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Cyclone Gabrielle Volunteers | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Sally Walker ONZM | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Nicola MacDonald MNZM | New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year |
| Sir Wayne Smith | New Zealand Legacy Award |
| Professor Rangi Mātāmua ONZM | New Zealander of the Year |
| Shaneel Lal | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Sir Mark Dunajtschik KNZM | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Emily Blythe | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Kindness Collective | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Dr Ellen Joan Ford (nee Nelson) | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Camden Howitt | New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year |
| Tā Tipene O′Regan | New Zealander of the Year |
| Ezra Hirawani | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Rereata Mākiha | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Mark Sagar PhD FRSNZ | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Matakaoa Community | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Dave Letele | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Charmaine Bailie | New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year |
| Dr Siouxsie Wiles MNZM | New Zealander of the Year |
| Jazz Thornton | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Dr Doug Wilson MNZM | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Ranjna Patel ONZM QSM JP | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Christchurch Mosque Victims Group | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Shannon Te Huia | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand | New Zealander of the Year |
| Georgia Hale | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Dame Margaret Sparrow DNZM MBE | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Bill Buckley − Buckley Systems Ltd | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Good Bitches Baking | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Nick Loosley | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Mike King | New Zealander of the Year |
| Kendall Flutey | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Dr Bill Glass | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Ian Taylor − Animation Research Ltd | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Pillars | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Pera Barrett | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Kristine Bartlett CNZM | New Zealander of the Year |
| David Cameron | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Sir Kim Workman KNZM QSO | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Team New Zealand Design Team | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Ricky Houghton | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Taika Waititi ONZM | New Zealander of the Year |
| Rez Gardi | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Sue Paterson ONZM | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Professor Ed Gane | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Randwick Park | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Hayden Smith | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Richie McCaw ONZ | New Zealander of the Year |
| Lydia Ko | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| John Russell | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| HYVAN Anaesthesia Ltd | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Community Fruit Harvesting | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Selwyn Cook | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Sir Stephen Tindall GNZM | New Zealander of the Year |
| Guy Ryan | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Donald Sew Hoy | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Peter Beck | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Paihia | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Billie Jordan | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Dr Lance O′Sullivan | New Zealander of the Year |
| Parris Goebel | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Frances Denz MNZM | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Dr Sean Simpson | New Zealand Innovator of the Year |
| Victim Support | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Cecilia Sullivan-Grant MNZM | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Dame Anne Salmond ONZ DBE FRSNZ | New Zealander of the Year |
| Sam Judd | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Ian Grant | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Grandparents Raising Grandchildren | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Jim Morunga | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Sir Richard Taylor KNZM | New Zealander of the Year |
| Sam Johnson | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Malcolm Cameron | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Paeroa | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Henare O’Keefe | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Sir Paul Callaghan GNZM FRS FRSNZ | New Zealander of the Year |
| Jamie Fenton | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Alison Neill | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Gibbston Community | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Billy Graham MNZM | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
| Divya Dhar | Young New Zealander of the Year |
| Sir Eion Edgar KNZM | Senior New Zealander of the Year |
| Victory Village | New Zealand Community of the Year |
| Sam Chapman | New Zealand Local Hero of the Year |
