Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa
Nominations open & new Innovation Partner announced – On Wednesday 27 July 2022 NOMINATIONS OPEN for the 2023 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa across seven categories.
Like an election, we’ve done a pre-poll to test the waters with Aotearoa – here’s an indicator of who we might see coming through in Awards nominations over the next five weeks (nominations close 31 August 2022).
Pre-Nominations Polls are indicating;
– Shaneel Lal coming through strongly for the first time.
o Fijian-New Zealand political commentator model and LGBTQIA+ rights activist – known for spearheading the movement to ban conversion therapy in New Zealand. Lal is an executive board member of Rainbow Youth and Auckland Pride Festival, and a trustee of Adhikaar Aotearoa, a non-profit that provides education, support and advocacy for queer South Asians. Lal is the founder of the Conversion Therapy Action Group (CTAG), a group working to end conversion therapy in New Zealand, educate New Zealanders on the dangers of conversion therapy and advocate for support for survivors of conversion therapy.
– Our media personalities are once again featuring – this time with initial support for Hilary Barry and Patrick Gower.
– Great to see the humble Ashely Bloomfield being recognised once again as he comes to the end of his role as the Director-General of Health.
– As usual, it looks like communities are being thoughtful about who they will nominate – with a plethora names coming through from people doing doing great things in their own neighbourhood, community or corner of Aotearoa.
Miriama Kamo, Te Koruru Patron of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa says, “2022 was a particularly special one for Aotearoa, as we shared our first public holiday to celebrate Matariki. This was a moment for us to collectively gather, come together, and celebrate the year just been – a chance to reflect on who we are, and where we’re going next. In that same spirit, we’re calling on the people of Aotearoa to come together and join us in nominating the people and communities who made the last year a great one. We have just five weeks to ensure the people who deserve it receive the gift of a nomination; so with the same energy we rallied together for this significant moment in our history, let’s celebrate the remarkable people around us and get nominating.
As Awards Te Koruru/Patron, I also want to acknowledge the contribution of Spark, who have joined our New Zealander of the Year whānau this year as our new Innovator Partner.”
“This award celebrates the New Zealanders who disrupt the status quo, whose inventions and ambitions are building towards a better tomorrow. As Aotearoa’s largest digital services and telecommunications company – innovation is at the heart of everything we do, so we’re proud to be supporting the kaupapa behind the 2023 New Zealand Innovator of Year Award.” says Jolie Hodson, Spark New Zealand CEO.
The annual Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa are in their 14th year. The Awards celebrate Kiwi from all walks of life; those who inspire, give hope and lead across the seven different Award categories. The Awards encourage New Zealanders to honour extraordinary Kiwi; those who use their passion to make Aotearoa a better place.
Kiwibank Chief Executive Steve Jurkovich says, “At Kiwibank we’ve always been here to support the growth and progress of Kiwi. We couldn’t be prouder of our decade long partnership with the New Zealander of the Year Awards. It is our privilege to be a partner of this celebration of those selfless, creative and visionary Kiwi who have put in the hard mahi for the benefit of our communities. These special New Zealanders embody how we can all play a part in contributing to our society and together have a positive impact.”
The awards seek nominations from all fields of endeavour including the arts, sport, community service, health, public service, environmental sustainability, voluntary, tourism, business, rural, education, entertainment, science, technology, innovation and cultural development.
Nominations are open for exceptional individuals in the following categories:
Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa
University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau
Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau
Spark New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau
Ministry for the Environment New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year Award Te Toa Taiao o te Tau
Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau
And duos or groups in the following category
Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau
Nominations can be made by any member of the public over 15 years of age until midnight 31 August 2022 through the online nomination form at www.nzawards.org.nz.
Nominations will then be rigorously evaluated by at least two rounds of independent and diverse judging panels with semi-finalists announced in December. The 2023 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa and supporting category winners will be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala Dinner in Auckland on 30 March 2023.
For more information visit nzawards.org.nz
Background
· Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa honours the achievements and contributions of an inspirational Kiwi who has made a big, positive contribution to our country this year. Their pursuit of excellence can be in any area; science, business, the arts, cultural or community involvement, te Ao Māori, sport, education, and health. Their achievements have positive effects on how we feel about our nation and ourselves.
Previous winners of the New Zealander of the Year Award are: Tā Tipene O’Regan (2022), Dr Siouxsie Wiles (2021), Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand (2020), Mike King (2019), Kristine Bartlett (2018), Taika Waititi (2017), Richie McCaw (2016), Sir Stephen Tindall (2015), Dr Lance O’Sullivan (2014), Dame Anne Salmond (2013), Sir Richard Taylor (2012), Sir Paul Callaghan (2011) and Sir Ray Avery (2010).
· University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Award Te Mātātahi o te Tau recognises a young person brimming with the potential to bring about change and produce a bright future for Aotearoa, striving across the last year to improve themselves and their whole community.
· Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Award Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau recognises those who have made a positive contribution to our great nation later in their life. This award gives New Zealanders of all ages the opportunity to express their appreciation and admiration for the achievements of our Senior New Zealander’s over the past year.
· Spark New Zealand Innovator of the Year Award Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau recognises a person who, in the spirit of Kiwi inventiveness and resourcefulness, has created a better New Zealand.
· Ministry for the Environment New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year Award Te Toa Taiao o te Tau Recognises a person who has made a remarkable contribution to restoring our environment and/or protecting our unique species.
· Mitre 10 Community of the Year Award Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau recognises a rōpū – group of people that together have made an outstanding difference to their community this year. They foster a strong sense of Kotahitanga – community spirit and their achievements enhance the social, economic, cultural or environmental prosperity of their corner of Aotearoa, making it stronger and more vibrant.
· Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau recognises everyday people doing extraordinary things in their local hapori – communities over the past year. This award acknowledges the enormous contribution, sacrifice and commitment of Kiwi who have selflessly worked to make their local hapori a better place.
