NZer of Year shortlist
A journalist, a vaccinologist and a reproductive rights campaigner are all in the running to be the 2020 New Zealander of the Year.
Ten people have been named as semifinalists for the annual award, which is now in its 11th year. The three finalists will be announced in January and the winner will be named at an awards gala in Auckland on February 20.
The shortlist includes human rights activist Anjum Rahman, Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck, vaccinologist Dr Helen PetousisHarris, actress Jennifer WardLealand, neonatologist Professor Jane Harding and journalist Tapu Misa.
Also on the list are Gaze Foundation co-founder Anne Gaze; lawyer Stacey Shortall, who runs a number of social programmes for women and children; David Downs, a cancer survivor and patient advocate; and Dame Margaret Sparrow, a longtime champion for sexual and reproductive health.
A total of 969 nominations were received for the award.
The 10 semifinalists represented ‘‘the very best of us’’, chief judge Cameron Bennett said.
‘‘With courage, humility, empathy and determination, they have taken real actions to help solve some of the big challenges this country faces.
‘‘Their remarkable contributions help make New Zealand that much better of a place to live.
‘‘These are Kiwis of whom we can all be proud.’’
Previous winners of the New Zealander of the Year award include Mike King, Taika Waititi, Richie McCaw and Dame Anne Salmond.
The winners of five other categories – Young New Zealander of the Year, Senior New Zealander of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Community of the Year and Local Hero of the Year – will also be announced at the awards dinner.
Each winner will receive $5000 and a custom-made trophy.
Nominations: University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year: Bilal Nasier (Auckland), Edward Uini (Auckland), Eliette Roslin (Auckland), Ezekiel Raui (Auckland), Fraser McConnell (Wellington), Georgia Hale (Auckland), Pania Newton (Auckland), Shay Wright (Auckland), Sophie Handford (Paekakariki), Tabitha Besley (Wellington). Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year: Billy Apple (Auckland), Dame Margaret Sparrow (Wellington), Dr Rosamund Vallings (Auckland), Lexie Matheson (Auckland), Miriam Saphira (Auckland), Pratima Nand (Auckland), Professor Bob Elliot (Auckland), Professor John Ormiston (Auckland), Professor Michael Corballis (Auckland), Sue Kedgley (Wellington). Trade Me New Zealand Innovator of the Year: Aliesha Staples – StaplesVR (Auckland), Bill Buckley – Buckley Systems Ltd (Auckland), Dr Mark Sagar – Soul Machines (Auckland), Dr Philip Elmer – Plant Food Research (Auckland), Fady Mishriki (Auckland), Hivemind (Christchurch), Peter Barrow – Enviroplaz (Auckland), Professor Jane Harding (Auckland), Sean Molloy – Avertana (Auckland), Steven Saunders and Dr Alistair Scarfe – Robotics Plus (Whakamarama). Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year: Asian Events Trust (Wellington), Baby Loss (national), Communicare (Auckland), Foster Hope (national), Good Bitches Baking (national), Menzshed (national), Merge Community (Auckland), The Common Unity Project (Lower Hutt), Voices of Hope (national), Zealandia (Wellington). Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year: Diane Stretton Yalden (Taneatua), Dr John Sumich (Auckland), Hannah Noble (Chatham Islands), Helen Jackson (Auckland), Hilary Price (Katikati), Irene Rama (Auckland), Jazz Thornton (Auckland), Karla Sanders (Alexandra), Ken Clearwater (Kaiapoi), Nick Loosley (Auckland).