Awards – Tā Tipene O’Regan named 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa

Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year

Introducing your 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa, Tā Tipene O’Regan.

Today, renowned Māori leader Tā Tipene O’Regan (Ngāi Tahu) has been named 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa.

This year is a special year for Tā Tipene, marking 25 years since he successfully led the negotiation of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s first iwi settlements, Te Kerēme.  Since then, he has continually worked to unite New Zealanders across the divides: bringing people together across government and business, academia and education, social and corporate, wealthy and poor, Māori and pakeha, North and South.  In a year where the world has seen much divide, Tā Tipene continues to bring energy to the social and political fabric of Aotearoa.

Carving a path through history, Tā Tipene has been relentless in his pursuit for equity and justice. He is one of our most respected and admired kaumātua, orators and teachers. And after a lifetime of work, he has hugely strengthened Ngāi Tahu’s ownership of its own past, while helping to build a future-focused iwi.

His profound belief in the principles of Te Tiriti, The Treaty of Waitangi, have led him to focus a huge amount of his effort on the place of the Treaty for all peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand, not just Māori. His articulation of those ideas has resonated widely across our nation.

Tā Tipene O’Regan was announced as the 2022 Winner in a digital Awards ceremony on 31 March by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Jacinda Ardern, and was presented the kaitaka huaki cloak, Pouhine, in a private ceremony by Awards Te Koruru Patron Miriama Kamo, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere (Chair) Lisa Tumahai.

The 2022 Finalists for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award category included acclaimed singer/songwriter Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM who has been prolific in developing and promoting the use of Te Reo Māori for new conversations around culture and identity, and New Zealand’s most decorated athlete Dame Lisa Carrington MNZM for her success as New Zealand’s most successful Olympian.

The former university lecturer chaired and developed the Ngāi Tahu Archive Advisory Committee, which has led to a partnership with Archives New Zealand, and the rehousing of the Ngā Tahu Archive collection at the brand new, state-of-the-art facility at Wigram in 2021.

Now in his 80’s, Tā Tipene continues to think about the future for his people.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai is delighted Tā Tipene O’Regan has won the 2022 Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa – the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year award.

“This is a well-deserved acknowledgement and recognition of the mahi Tā Tipene has undertaken for Ngāi Tahu, as Upoko of Te Rūnaka o Awarua, and for all New Zealanders. After his mahi as Chief Negotiator in the team leading Ngāi Tahu to settlement with the Crown in 1998, he has continued to guide our iwi as a rangatira, while contributing to a wide range of other kaupapa and leadership positions across New Zealand.

“This award not only celebrates the contribution Tā Tipene has made to our country in the last year, but it also highlights how he has influenced the history of New Zealand throughout his entire career as a leader across Te Ao Māori, academia and business,” says Lisa Tumahai.

Miriama Kamo, Te Koruru – Patron of the Awards, says: “The Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa celebrate people who use their passion to make our country a better place, and Tā Tipene O’ Regan undeniably fits the bill – his wairua, and dedication to our people is a taonga for the future.”

While Ngāi Tahu as an iwi and New Zealand as a nation are bigger than any one person, few people think or act in big ways. Tā Tipene O’Regan is an exemplar of living tāonga – irreplaceable.

Congratulations Tā Tipene O’Regan, We’re humbled to be able to recognise your remarkable impact, past and present, in Aotearoa.

The remarkable New Zealanders honoured as the 2022 Winners across six categories are:

University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau 2022:

Ezra Hirawani (Te Āti Haunui-a-Paparangi / Ngāti Rangi / Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Hako / Waikato Tainui). Ezra Hirawani co-founded kaupapa Māori power company Nau Mai Rā to keep the lights on for the 100,000 New Zealanders living in energy hardship. Against the odds, he has compelled the industry to move toward systemic change by helping Nau Mai Rā put whānau first.

Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau 2022:

Rereata Makiha (Northland) Rereata Makiha believes in the power of sharing knowledge and using oral traditions – korero-tuku-iho to connect and educate the next generation.

Trade Me New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau 2022:

Mark Sagar PhD FRSNZ (Auckland) CEO of Soul Machines, Mark Sagar is leading the way for intelligent, AI design. From his R&D lab in Auckland he is generating an international reputation as a pioneer in the field.

Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau 2022:

Matakaoa Community The Matakaoa Community worked together to keep Covid-19 out of its town, uniting in a shared purpose to keep people safe, they achieved exemplary vaccination rates.

Department of Conservation and Ministry for the Environment New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau 2022:

Charmaine Bailie (Auckland) Described as a force of nature, Charmaine Bailie is an ecologist overseeing numerous large-scale environmental restoration projects. She uses her skills, humour and energy to support people and the whenua.

Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau 2022:

Dave Letele (Henderson) Dave Letele is the founder of the not-for-profit Brown Buttabean Motivation programme – a free, gym- based weight-loss programme that has inspired thousands of New Zealanders to get fit and get healthy.

For more information on the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa winners please visit www.nzawards.org.nz.

MIL OSI