Dame Margaret Sparrow
Senior New Zealander of the Year
2020
Ryman Healthcare
Senior New Zealander of the Year
Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau
Dame Margaret Sparrow
Dame Margaret Sparrow has made extraordinary contributions to the field of sexual and reproductive health and has been a trailblazer in the campaign for legal abortions in New Zealand.
Margaret has advocated for many years on changes to our abortion laws, and in 2020 abortion was successfully decriminalised and in the following year 2021, the Safe Areas Amendment introduced by Louisa Wall gave greater protection to those attending an abortion service
Working in the student health centre at Victoria University in the late 1960s, she ignored the rules that allowed contraception to be given only to married couples, making information available to all students. The Wellington Family Planning Clinic is named after her.
Dame Margaret was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to medicine and the community, and in 1993 she was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal.
In 2002 she was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to medicine and the community, and in 2009 she accepted re-designation as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. A two-time president of the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand, Dame Margaret continues to publish and lead Family Planning education in New Zealand.
Creating a legacy for tomorrow, these people have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in their life, following their careers in any service, sector or field. They are actively involved in making the world around them a better place.
Nominees of this Award must:
- Be over the age of 70, at the open of nominations on 24 July 2024.
- Have had significant impact in their senior years
- Be a role model for 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 later in life to inspire you to nominate them as 2025 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau. - 10 points: PURPOSE:
Who benefits from the work, contribution, or influence of this person – and how? - 10 points: LEADERSHIP & SERVICE:
How does this person set a positive example of being a senior member of the community – showing potential for making change at any age. - 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 following their career, achievements, or service to create change and give back? - 10 points: PROVEN IMPACT:
How has this person clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their area of influence, particularly during their senior years? How has this been measured? - 10 points: LEGACY
How would winning this award impact this person’s legacy and their mahi (past or present)?
