MEDIA RELEASE
07 January 2010
Inspirational and Diverse Mix of Kiwis Announced as New Zealander of the Year Finalists
Inventors, activists, gang and community workers, survivors, environmentalists, business leaders and Olympians are all
included in the diverse list of finalists announced today for the inaugural New Zealander of the Year Awards.
The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and communities across New Zealand, and acknowledge the
inspirational influence their work has on society. Today’s shortlist of fifteen is selected from hundreds of women, men
and young people making extraordinary contributions both locally and to the world at large. The announcement follows the
release of semi finalists in December.
Prime Minister John Key will recognise these inspirational individuals at a gala event on 3 February 2010 when the
winners will be announced.
An eminent panel of judges, including awards patron and former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, Dr Roderick Deane former chief
economist, Dame Malvina Major, former All Black Michael Jones and Judge Ken Mason, carefully considered each nominee.
Finalists were nominated by their friends, families, politicians and leaders from the worlds of business, music and the
voluntary sector.
Says Mr Bolger, “I am amazed by the overwhelming contribution made by people of all ages to their communities, New
Zealand and the world at large. Our success as a nation relies on individuals stepping forward and making the most of
themselves, helping others and seeking new ways of doing things. Awards like these give us a chance to say thank you to
extraordinary individuals, who inspire us as New Zealanders.”
The New Zealander of the Year family of awards sought nominations from fields including the arts, sport, community and
voluntary service, health, public service, the environment, tourism, business, rural, education, entertainment, science,
technology and cultural development. Nominations from all New Zealand citizens were welcomed.
The New Zealander of the Year winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Auckland on
Wednesday, 3 February 2010. The winner of each of the five categories will receive a handcrafted, New Zealand made
trophy and $5,000 towards their work from sponsor Kiwibank. All nominees will receive a certificate of appreciation for
the contributions they are making to New Zealand.
Finalists include:
New Zealander of the Year
Awarded for major contribution to the nation, outstanding service to the country and inspiration through achievement.
• Ray Avery, scientist and inventor of medical devices for the third world, Auckland
• Sir Stephen Tindall, philanthropist and founder of the Warehouse, Auckland
• Valarie Villi, Olympic gold medal winner and shot-put world number one, North Shore
Young New Zealander of the Year
15 to 30 year olds who are making a positive impact on the nation.
• Matt Truman, inspirational leader of CanTeen, the child cancer charity, and survivor of a brain tumour at 14,
Christchurch
• Divya Dhar, medical, social and climate change campaigner, Auckland
• Vanisa Dhuru, YWCA and Trade Aid community leader, Wellington
Senior New Zealander of the Year
Celebrating ongoing achievement, this category is for those aged 60 and over who have made a major difference to New
Zealand.
• Ron O’Grady, founder and president of EPCAT (Ending Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Child Trafficking) and
international child protection campaigner, Waitakere
• Diana Lady Isaac, conservationist, businesswoman, philanthropist and arts patron, Christchurch
• Sir Eion Edgar, former New Zealand olympic committee, president, businessman and philanthropist, Otago
Community of the Year
Acknowledges groups working together up and down the country to build stronger communities.
• Waihi Community Vision, Waihi
• Victory Village, Nelson
• StarJam, performance group for young people with disabilities, Auckland
Local Heroes Awards
Recognises ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their local communities. Local Heroes Awards will be presented
in 19 regions throughout the country. From these winners, three nominees have been selected to go forward to the
national awards.
• Helen Johnson, Special Olympics coach and disability advocate, Palmerston North
• George Phiskie, local and blind community activist, Waipu
• Haami (Sam) Tutu Chapman, youth and community worker, Otara, Auckland
ENDS