Global Search For World-Class Kiwis

Global Search For World-Class Kiwis

Nominations open globally today for entry to the highly-prestigious 2008 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 2007 Awards - held earlier this year attracted a crowd of almost 700 people and recognised seven truly impressive New Zealanders.

Presented by Kea New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the 2008 awards will be held on Thursday 28th February, 2008.

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

* Facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge or skills from and about New Zealand

* Foster New Zealand innovation and entrepreneurship

* Act as a role model on the world stage

* Promote New Zealand Internationally, and

* Build global connections with New Zealand.

"The World Class New Zealand Awards are now in their fifth year. They have a key role to play in identifying and celebrating our leaders who are successful on the world stage.

As Kiwis we need to embrace success and encourage our youth to strive for it - and what better way than showcasing and honouring eight world class New Zealanders," says Stephen Tindall, chairman - Kea New Zealand.

In 2008, the six award categories will be expanded to seven and an overall supreme award winner:

* Information and Communications Technology

* Creative Industries

* Biotechnology

* Manufacturing

* Research, Science, Technology and Academia

* Finance, Investment and Business Services

* New Thinking.

The new category - 'New Thinking' will be introduced, to recognise an individual who has shown creativity in their approach to meeting global opportunities and challenges. The winner of the 'New Thinking' category will be someone who has put New Zealand on the world stage by thinking 'outside the square'.

'At NZTE we believe it's important to recognise the world class talent New Zealand has and we've supported the World Class New Zealand Awards for a number of years. Introducing the new category 'New Thinking' will allow us to celebrate the significant achievements of those New Zealanders who have gone out on a limb in an innovative way to compete successfully in the world," says Tim Gibson, NZTE's chief executive.

The 2007 World Class New Zealand Supreme Award Winner, Dr John Hood, Vice Chancellor Oxford University was honoured for his immense contribution towards assisting New Zealand companies and industries succeed internationally.

Six other outstanding New Zealanders were recognised within their industry specialties at the 2007 World Class New Zealand Awards: Brian Peace, Information and Communications Technology; Kevin Roberts, Creative Industries; Dr John Bedbrook, Biotechnology; Geoff Ross, Manufacturing; Dr Paul Callaghan, Research, Science Technology & Academia and Ralph Norris, Finance, Investment & Business Services.

The 2008 event promises to attract nominations to rival the 2007 winners. Nominations for the 2008 World Class New Zealand Awards close on the 1 October, 2007. These can be made through the Kea website at www.keanewzealand.com

ENDS

Background:

Kea New Zealand

The Kiwi Expat Association Inc (Kea New Zealand) is an independent, non-profit organisation that brings together people with a passion for New Zealand, wherever they are in the world. Founded by Stephen Tindall, founder of The Warehouse and The Tindall Foundation; Professor David Teece, Director of the Institute of Management, Innovation and Organisation, University of California at Berkeley; and Dr George Barker, Director of the Centre for Law and Economics, Australian National University, President of the Australian Law and Economics Association. Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, and led by Chief Executive Ivan Moss. Over 22,000 Kiwis and other 'friends of New Zealand' around the world are subscribed to Kea, which helps them to maintain regular contact with the country. Many of these subscribers appear in Kea's searchable online database, allowing them to be contacted by other Kea members from anywhere in the world. Active local Kea groups operate in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is the government's national economic development agency. It works to stimulate economic growth by helping boost export earnings, strengthen regional economies and deliver economic development assistance to industries and individual businesses.

As a global organisation, NZTE uses its knowledge and contacts in key overseas markets to provide crucial international connections for New Zealand businesses looking to expand internationally and also to attract direct investment into New Zealand. www.nzte.govt.nz

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