World Class New Zealanders Announced

World Class New Zealanders announced

Seven of the country’s leading innovators and entrepreneurs, in fields ranging from biotechnology to the creative arts, have been revealed in this year’s World Class New Zealand Awards.

The annual awards, presented by Kea New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, are an important celebration of successful New Zealanders who have made significant contributions to the country’s growth and development.

Category winners for the 2010 World Class New Zealand Awards are:

Name / Award category /Position/company /Resides

Dr Jilly Evans / Biotechnology /Founder and vice-president, Amira Pharmaceuticals /United States

(Sponsored by Ernst & Young)

Sir Ron Carter / Finance, Investment & Business Services / Former managing director and chairman, Beca Group / Auckland

(Sponsored by BDO)

Bill Gallagher / Manufacturing /Chief executive, Gallagher Group / Waikato

Professor Ian Witten / Research, Science, Technology & Academia / Professor and head of the University of Waikato’s New Zealand Digital Library Research Group /Waikato

(Sponsored by the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology)

Dr Kerry Spackman /New Thinking /Neuroscientist and owner, The Winners Institute LLC / Auckland

(Sponsored by Gen-i)

Ian McCrae /Information & Communications Technology / Chief executive, Orion Health / Auckland

(Sponsored by MetService)

Mark D’Arcy /Creative Industries /President & chief creative officer, Time Warner Global Media Group /United States

(Sponsored by Wellington City Council)

The Supreme Award (selected from outside this list of category winners) will be revealed at a gala dinner at The Langham Hotel in Auckland on March 24. Last year’s Supreme winner was multi-Oscar winner Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop.

This year’s event will also see the inaugural ‘Friend of New Zealand’ award presented to a non-Kiwi who represents a wider community of people working to build global connections with New Zealand and helping to support Kiwi businesses internationally.

Masters of Ceremonies Maggie Barry and Tom Bradley will introduce each winner as they are presented with the World Class New Zealand tall poppy statuette designed by Richard Taylor.

The World Class New Zealand Awards have been running for seven years and are judged by a panel of six including: Sir Stephen Tindall (Chair of judges), Jon Mayson, John Stace, Jane Hunter, Rod Drury and Professor Sir Peter Gluckman.

A rigorous selection process sees nominees evaluated against five main criteria, with a focus on promoting New Zealand internationally, building global connections and facilitating the exchange of information, knowledge and skills from and about the country.

Sir Stephen Tindall says the World Class New Zealand Awards dinner has become a highly anticipated event – often serving to promote the great achievements that are beyond the radar of many Kiwis.

"It’s important we recognise and celebrate successful New Zealanders. What’s exciting is that every year the awards seem to grow and we’ve only touched on a few of the talented New Zealanders out there.”

Ends

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