THIS MORNING
LATEST Another award for Oscar winner Taylor
Oscar winner (pictured) who helped Wellington forge a role in the global film industry, last night won yet another public accolade, named Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year in Auckland. Sir Richard is cofounder of the special-effects company Weta Workshop, which has worked on world-beating films such as The Lord of the Rings and Avatar. He has shared in winning four Academy Awards for two of The Lord of the Rings movies, and was knighted in 2010 for services to film. Sir Richard was selected ahead of World of Wearable Arts founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff and Dr Sharad Paul, whose Skin Surgery Clinic in Auckland gives free skin cancer checks and who also funds literacy programmes in lowdecile Auckland schools. The award announcement noted Sir Richard set a shining example by being a global player in the movie industry, while choosing to base himself in New Zealand. The Young New Zealander award went to Sam Johnson, founder and leader of the Student Volunteer Army, which helped Christchurch residents after the earthquakes. In second place was Bailey Lovett, of Bluff. Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt, who was at the awards, said it was thrilling when she was named runner-up. Miss Lovett conducted a study of the bacterial contamination of shellfish that changed regulation around how and when they are gathered after rainfall. The Senior New Zealander of the Year, for those aged 60 and over, was Malcolm Cameron, of Dunedin, founder of the Malcam Charitable Trust, which provides youth development and transitional support programmes in Otago. Paeroa was named Community of the Year, recognition for work by volunteers to develop a safe and vibrant community. The Local Heroes Award went to Hastings man Henare O’keefe, for his work with atrisk youth and family violence prevention. The awards were presented in partnership with Fairfax Media, TV3 and The Radio Network.
Fairfax NZ