Nine Days to go to New Zealander Of The Year

MEDIA NOTICE

25 January 2010

Nine Days to go until PM reveals the New Zealander of the Year

It is just nine days until Prime Minister John Key will announce the winner of the 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. The winners will be revealed at a Gala Awards Presentation in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Auckland on Wednesday, 3 February 2010 at 7pm.

Opportunities exist to speak with finalists in the lead up to the awards and at the event.

 The finalists by award category are;

New Zealander of the Year, sponsored by Kiwi Bank

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

·    Valerie Vili, Olympic gold medal winner and shot-put world number one, Pakuranga

Senior New Zealander of the Year, sponsored by Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

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

Young New Zealander of the Year, sponsored by Coco-Cola Amatil New Zealand

  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 Dhiru, YWCA and Trade Aid community leader, Wellington

Community of the Year, sponsored by Mitre 10

Acknowledges groups working together up and down the country to build stronger communities.

·    Waihi Community Vision; a unique consultative group, from all sections of the Waihi community, working towards securing the town’s future following the departure of mining company, Newmont Waihi Gold, Waihi 

 ·    Victory Village; a unique example of community-based support achieving positive health, social and educational outcomes,

 Nelson  

·    StarJam, performance group for young people with disabilities, Auckland

Local Heroes Awards, sponsored by Kiwi Bank

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

The finalists were chosen from hundreds of nominations made by friends, families, politicians and leaders from the worlds of business, music and the voluntary sector. 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. 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.

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