New Zealander of the Year 2015 announcement

25 February 2015
New Zealander of the Year 2015 announcement

Auckland philanthropist and businessman Sir Stephen Tindall has been named Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2015 at the gala awards ceremony held this evening in Auckland.

Sir Stephen was presented with the award by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Bill English.

Founder and current director of The Warehouse Group Ltd, Sir Stephen is, together with wife Margaret, co-founder and trustee of The Tindall Foundation. Established to support community-based initiatives, enterprise and social services, the foundation also supports the environment, strengthens the community sector and promotes generosity. To date, the foundation has provided more than $100 million to support a range of community initiatives.

Sir Stephen has also invested more than $250 million in seed and venture capital in a large number of start-up and early stage businesses, ranging from environmental technology to high-tech and software and businesses with export potential.

On receiving the award, Sir Stephen was presented a special kaitaka huaki cloak by 2014 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, Dr Lance O’Sullivan. The Kiwibank cloak, named Pouhine, will be presented to each year’s winner.

A short film profiling Sir Stephen can be viewed at https://inner.kiwi/new-zealander-year/

Comment from the Chief Judge, Cameron Bennett

“The calibre, commitment and achievement of all the nominees made choosing this year’s winners incredibly tough but it shows how fortunate New Zealand is to have so many great people.

“Sir Stephen Tindall embodies what it is to be a Kiwi. He’s passionate about our country and our people, and he places huge personal value on integrity and hard work. His skills, expertise and drive have made thousands of Kiwis better off.

“He is a truly worthy recipient of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year award.”

Category winners

University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year
Guy Ryan (Wellington) – for contribution to youth development

Guy founded the Inspiring Stories Trust in 2011 and runs workshops to help young New Zealanders make their mark on the world. The trust provides opportunities to develop social entrepreneurship. Now nearing the end of its fourth year of operation, the trust has an impressive track record of programmes and partnerships. Nearly 5,000 young New Zealanders have been directly involved in the trust’s programmes.

Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year
Donald Sew Hoy (Auckland) – for excellence in business

Managing director and owner of Glacier Investments Ltd, a successful clothing importer to the major retail chains in New Zealand, Donald has 50 years of business experience in the New Zealand textile and garment industry. He has served a number of regional and governance roles in the industry, including being elected to President of the New Zealand Garment Industry and as a representative for the New Zealand Garment Industry at the New Zealand Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Mitre 10 Community of the Year
Focus Paihia! (Northland) – for achievement in community advocacy and promotion

Focus Paihia! has been working to positively change and improve its community, looking at economic, social, cultural and environmental elements across the town. Projects include the Harcourt Pro Am Golf Tournament, Paihia Half-Marathon and even Bathtub Racing. The group is also working on the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, Opua Railway Station and the 2014 Placemaking Projects.

Sanitarium Innovator of the Year
Peter Beck (Auckland) – for excellence in science and technology

Peter is founder and chief executive of Rocket Lab Ltd, an aerospace company that supplies technology to the space and defence industries. Following almost 15 years of research, market development and networking within the international space community, Peter has developed his own rocket which is designed to make reaching space more affordable and effective. Peter’s research and engineering has contributed to major advances in New Zealand and international aviation by reducing the cost of rocket launches.

Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year
Billie Jordan (Waiheke Island) – for services to the community

Billie is the brains and organiser behind the group of senior (aged 65-95) Waiheke Island people who make up the crew of Hip Op-eration, a hip hop dance troupe and the world’s oldest flashmob.

The seniors performed in Auckland's CBD and suburbs for a year and evolved into a hip hop group. They travelled to Las Vegas as a supporting act at the World Hip Hop Championships recently and are heading to Taiwan for a similar event.

Background

The annual New Zealander of the Year awards are in their sixth year. They recognise, encourage and reward New Zealand's most vital asset – its people. They are open to all New Zealanders and celebrate the contributions of New Zealanders from all walks of life. More than 230 nominations were received for the 2015 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.

Previous winners of the New Zealander of the Year Award are: Dr Lance O’Sullivan (2014), Dame Anne Salmond (2013), Sir Richard Taylor (2012), Sir Paul Callaghan (2011) and Sir Ray Avery (2010).

More information on the New Zealander of the Year Awards and the category winners can be found at www.nzawards.co.nz.

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