Six people have been honoured with Blake Leader Awards.
Rocket Lab's Peter Beck, and the man behind the Pop-up Globe, Dr Gregory Miles, were two of the recipients.
Dame Tariana Turia took out the top prize, the Blake Medal, for her exceptional contribution to raising Māori achievement, health and prosperity.
Dame Tariana was touted as a leader with tenacity, vision and an unwavering drive to help others.
Her achievements include being appointed as the voice for the Whanganui River since it gained the same rights as a person. She also founded the country's first and largest iwi-led primary health organisation, and co-founded the Māori Party.
Mr Beck said Rocket Lab was just getting started.
"By the time next year comes around, if we are successful in enabling to launch one every two weeks, then we're sending more satellites to orbit than any other country," he told RNZ.
The other recipients were Tāmaki College principal Soana Pamaka, biologist Rochelle Constantine and south Auckland lawyer Ali'imuamua Sandra Alofivae.
The awards, named after the late Sir Peter Blake, aim to "turn the spotlight on leadership in New Zealand, inspiring and motivating all Kiwis to make a difference".
More information about the winners can be found on the Blake Leader Awards website.
Newshub.
