Sir Stephen Tindall
New Zealander of the Year
2015
Kiwibank
New Zealander of the Year
Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa
Sir Stephen Tindall
In 1982 Sir Stephen founded The Warehouse Group Ltd, now a $3bn retail enterprise, with a personal goal to help New Zealanders realise their full potential for the overall benefit of the country.
Sir Stephen Tindall is a co-Founder and Trustee of The Tindall Foundation. Along with his wife Margaret, he established the Foundation to improve the performance of families, community, and the environment. This includes supporting community-based initiatives that create employment and encourage enterprise; supporting the environment and preserving biodiversity; and promote generosity and giving on a ‘hand-up not hand-out’ basis. The Foundation has donated over $200m after paying $150m in tax.
Furthermore, he has invested over $400m in seed and venture capital through K1W1 Ltd and other vehicles into over 200 start-up and early-stage businesses ranging from biotech, environmental technology, green energy, electronics, high tech and software and other high export potential businesses.
Stephen also co-founded the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development and was a Councillor on the World Business Council for Sustainable Business Council for several years.
He is the immediate past Chair for Emirates Team New Zealand, New Zealand’s winning America’s Cup sailing team, where he has had a long association with the team since 1995 and is currently the ETNZ Sustainability Ambassador. As a result, he has co-invested with the team in building and now using the world’s first hydrogen foiling chase boat.
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?
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