PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release 1 November 2012

Outstanding Nominations Received for New Zealander of Year Awards

Judges have the difficult task of wading through the details of hundreds of Kiwis who have made an impact on the world stage or a difference in their own communities before deciding the next Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.

Nominations have closed for the 2013 Awards with nearly 700 nominations received from the public in the five different categories from every region across New Zealand.

Awards national manager Emma Mcdonald said the “the number of nominations received is exceptional and in this, the fourth year of the Awards, we are humbled by the stories of amazing contributions individuals and organisations are making to our communities and the nation.”

Kiwibank CEO, Paul Brock says...The nominations reflect the vast array of inspirational Kiwis who are actively making a positive difference to New Zealand. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and aim to encourage others to get involved in their own communities.” Among the well-known Kiwis nominated in the New Zealander of the Year category is mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan, former Chair of Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board Sir Tipene O’Regan and Hutt Valley Director of Surgery, Professor Swee Tan.

Sport related nominations include Olympic Shot Put Gold Medallist Valerie Adams, All Black Captain Richie McCaw and Paralympian swimmer Sophie Pascoe.

Some extraordinary nominations were also received for the women of New Zealand including Hinewehi Mohi of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, singer-song writer “Annah Mac” and renowned author, professor and member of the Royal Society of NZ, Dame Anne Salmond.

Among the lesser-known but equally worthy nominations are Rebecca Culver, the co-ordinator behind Just Zilch, Palmerston North. Dave Wills a volunteer fire fighter from Silverstream who helped raise over $15,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer Foundation and Jade Temepara the director of the “Hand over a Hundy” initiative.

A high number of nominations have also been received in Coca Cola Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year category. This award features high achievers in arts, academia, sport and leadership. Nominees this year include 15 year old New Zealand amateur golfer Lydia Ko, 26 year old founder of Rebuild Christchurch, Dion Swiggs and 19 year old Victoria Taylor who recently ran the length of New Zealand to raise awareness and funds for Child Cancer NZ.

The Mitre 10 Community of the Year judges face an arduous task with diverse nominations received from various New Zealand communities. Nominees include Tolaga Bay, for their Transit of Venus Forum, an initiative established by 2011 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, Sir Paul Callaghan.

Another potential Community of the Year is 0800 HUNGRY, a non for profit volunteer based community which aims to fight hunger. Both examples illustrate the high standard and diversity of nominations received in this category.

Awards Patron, Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, says that this year’s nominations maintain the incredibly high standards of previous years. It’s inspiring to read of the outstanding commitment made at local and national level by ordinary Kiwis doing extraordinary things. I acknowledge and salute all the nominees.

Regional and national judging has commenced and over the next month, judges will whittle down the nominations to a short list of the top 10 in each category in mid November before naming three finalists in each category in January.

The categories in the New Zealander of the Year Awards are:
• Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year
• Countdown Senior New Zealander of the Year
• Coco Cola Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year
• Mitre 10 Community of the Year
• Kiwibank Local Heroes

All Local Hero Medal recipients will be revealed next week with public presentation events to be held in 13 regions from Invercargill to Whangarei at the end of November.

The current Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year is Sir Richard Taylor of Wellington.

2013 winners will be publicly announced in Auckland on February 28 at the Awards Gala.

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