We partner with the New Zealander of the Year Awards to honour extraordinary Kiwis whose selflessness, creativity and vision make us proud to call New Zealand home.
Mike King: 2019 New Zealander of the Year
Mental Health advocate Mike is founder of the The Nutters Club & Key to Life Charitable Trust. On the I Am Hope tour, Mike delivered 70 talks to more than 20,000 school students across the country.
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Celebrating 10 years of New Zealander of the Year
We've been proudly supporting the New Zealander of the Year awards for more than a decade, recognising inspiring Kiwis who've worked hard to make New Zealand a better place for future generations.
2018 New Zealander of the Year: Kristine Bartlett
Rest home caregiver Kristine Bartlett is a reluctant hero. She doesn’t like being the centre of attention, but found herself thrust into the limelight when her landmark court battle won pay rises for about 55,000 of the health sector’s lowest-paid workers.
2017 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year: Hayden Smith
Founder of Sea Cleaners Trust, which has removed over 5.6 million litres of rubbish from the sea.
2016 Young New Zealander of the Year finalist: Dr. Malvindar Singh-Bains
Neuroscientist Brain Health and Neurodegenerative Diseases advocate. Founder of Huntington's Disease Youth Organisation of New Zealand.
2014 New Zealander of the Year finalist: Catriona Williams
Founder of CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, which raised over $10 million for Spinal Cord Research.
2013 New Zealander of the Year: Dame Anne Salmond
Anthropologist, Historian, Writer and Environmentalist. Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy (2008) and Foreign Assosiate of the National Academy of Sciences (2009).
2012 Young New Zealander of the Year: Sam Johnson
Community entrepreneur and founder of the Student Volunteer Army. Recruited over 32,000 primary school student volunteers.
More about inspirational Kiwis
Learn more about the journey of previous Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year nominees and winners who’s achieved extraordinary things and made a positive difference to the lives of others.