Hayden Smith
New Zealand Local Hero of the Year
2017
Kiwibank
New Zealand Local Hero of the Year
Te Pou Toko o te Tau
Hayden Smith
Concerned about the trashed state of New Zealand’s marine environment, Hayden persuaded the then five Mayors of the greater Auckland region to sponsor him and for the past 20 years he has been cleaning up the shores around Waitemata Harbour.
Each year he has to raise funds for this work cleaning up our water with the self-formed SEA CLEANERS Trust. The Trust has been blessed with money from philanthropic Foundations and corporate organisations, who see the benefits of what Hayden and his team are doing and want to support him in his endeavours, to clean up 10 regions of New Zealand.
Hayden’s work has also attracted international support. He is the only recipient of the Clearwater Award outside of the USA for his work in engaging communities to help clean up the environment. SEA CLEANERS in partnership with Hawaiian Tourism Authority and Hawaiian Airlines run an annual youth ambassador programme, taking students from around the Pacific Rim, to Hawaii to help clean up and educate communities about the growing plastic pollution issues plaguing the Pacific shores.
He also gives talks to various local community organisations, sports clubs, elderly and teenagers of secondary schools around the regions that SEA CLEANERS is present, sharing his message for a healthier Ocean.
During a visit to Hawaii, Hayden decided to help clean up part of the Hawaiian coast and caught the attention of the US Navy stationed at Pearl Harbour. This year Hayden returned to Hawaii at the time of the RIMPAC Navy exercises and was instrumental in organising a joint clean-up project with the combined sailors of both the US and NZ Navies. The RNZN now runs a SEA CLEANERS training exercise for every recruit entering the Navy, as a part of their Basic Common Training. In 2019 when Hayden and his team hosted King Charles, following that event together with the King, they are looking at expanding the Navy recruit training programme into every Commonwealth Naval fleet.
Hayden was selected to be an Eisenhower Fellow in 2023, which has enabled Hayden and SEA CLEANERS mission to be promoted throughout the USA with a vision to develop a sustainable funding model, increased youth ambassador outreach, re-engagement with the US Navy and strengthen NZ/US indigenous relations.
Hayden is a young man who has achieved more than many in their life time and is a citizen that New Zealand should be proud of.
These people who have made a positive difference in their corner of Aotearoa. They demonstrate selflessness and determination in their efforts to make a difference to their community – be it their local (geographical) community, or community of specific interest.
Whether their impact is in a particular field, or courageously overcoming personal adversity, their contributions are truly inspiring to inspire every New Zealander.
Nominees of this Award must:
- Be an individual who has made (or is making) a significant contribution to their region, town, suburb, community (be it geographical community, or community of specific interest), iwi, or local group.
- Have had significant impact over the last 12 months.
- Be a role model for New Zealanders and highlight selflessness for their community.
- 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 2025 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau. - 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 members of their local community? - 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 local community? (be it geographical community, or community of specific interest).
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How do the Kiwibank Local Hero Awards work?
- All Local Hero nominations are divided up into regions across Aotearoa
- Nominations for each region are then sent on to the three Local Hero Judges for that region, for their consideration.
- Nominations are scored by regional Local Hero Judges based on the criteria above
- The top 100 (highest scoring) Local Hero nominees across New Zealand will be honoured in December. While we won’t be having official medal ceremonies this year, we’re making sure we recognise these inspiring New Zealanders by sending each of them their medals — and even hand-delivering a few throughout Aotearoa
- The 100 Local Hero Medallists go forward to Category Judging Day in November for the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau national award and 10 semi-finalists will be announced in mid-January
- The 10 semi-finalists will be considered at the Executive Judging Day in late January. Three will be announced as the finalists in the New Zealand Local Hero award in February, and of those three, one will be awarded the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau title at the Gala event in March 2025 in Auckland
2025
Finalists
