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 |
Contact
office@nzawards.org.nz
media@nzawards.org.nz
PO Box 1158
Christchurch 8140 New Zealand