Kiwis encouraged to vote for their New Zealander of the Year

Kiwis encouraged to vote for their New Zealander of the Year

With the election completed, Kiwibank is urging New Zealanders to also cast a vote for their fellow Kiwis in the 2015 New Zealander of the Year Awards.

Nominations for New Zealand’s most prestigious awards close on 30 September. Now in its sixth year, the New Zealander of the Year Awards celebrate and honour achievement in six different categories, including the 2015 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. Nominations are open to all New Zealanders.

Kiwibank CEO, Paul Brock, said the Awards were the ultimate recognition a community can give its people.

“New Zealanders have a very fine tradition for helping other people. They’re Kiwis who dedicate their lives to making other Kiwis better off. They make our country a better place to live.

“The New Zealander of the Year Awards is the best opportunity for people to publicly honour these good deeds. It’s the highest possible accolade for New Zealanders, nominated by New Zealanders.

“They are New Zealand’s way of saying thanks. I urge all Kiwis who know someone doing good work in the community, to put forward a nomination,” he said.

The annual New Zealander of the Year awards recognise, encourage and reward New Zealand's most vital asset - its people. It is open to all New Zealanders and celebrates the contributions of New Zealanders from all walks of life.

The 2015 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year will be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards in Auckland on 25 February.

Earlier this year Dr Lance O’Sullivan of Kaitaia was named 2014 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. As a General Practitioner in Kaitaia, Lance took it upon himself to rally his community and set up free healthcare initiatives in Northland to eradicate poverty related illness.

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).

Nominations for the 2015 New Zealander of the Year Awards can be made until 30th September 2014 through completing the online nomination form or requesting an information brochure from the Awards Office.

For more information visit: www.nzawards.co.nz

ENDS

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