Global Search For World-Class Kiwis

11 September 2006

Global Search For World-Class Kiwis

Nominations open globally today for entry to the highly-prestigious 2007 World Class New Zealand Awards.

These Awards recognise successful New Zealanders who help to enhance the reputation of our country on the world stage through being truly “world class”. The 2006 Awards – held earlier this year attracted a crowd of almost 400 people and recognised seven truly impressive New Zealanders.

Presented by Kea New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the 2007 awards will be held on Wednesday 14th March, 2007, at the Sky City Convention Centre.

Nominees will be evaluated against five main criteria in relation to how they:

a.. Facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge or skills from and about New Zealand b.. Foster New Zealand innovation and entrepreneurship

c.. Act as a role model on the world stage

d.. Promote New Zealand Internationally, and

e.. Build global connections with New Zealand.

“The World Class New Zealand Awards identify leaders for young Kiwis to aspire to emulate. As a culture we need to place more emphasis on congratulating and supporting the successes of Kiwis both at home and internationally,” says Stephen Tindall, Chairman - Kea New Zealand.

The 2006 World Class New Zealand Supreme Award Winner, Professor Alan MacDiarmid was honoured for his contribution to science. In 2000, Professor MacDiarmid was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, making him only the second New Zealander to receive the award.

Six other outstanding New Zealanders were recognised within their industry specialties at the 2006 World Class New Zealand Awards: Dr Mark Billinghurst, Information and Communications Technology; Brent Hansen, Creative Industries; Dr Simon Moroney, Biotechnology; Ken Stevens, Manufacturing; Professor Peter Gluckman, Research, Science Technology & Academia and Christopher Liddell, Finance, investment & Business Services.

The 2007 event promises to attract nominations to rival the 2006 winners. Nominations for the 2007 World Class New Zealand Awards close on the 9th October, 2006. These can be made through the Kea website at

www.keanewzealand.com or by emailing worldclass@keanewzealand.com.

ENDS

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