The finalists for Kiwibank's New Zealander of The Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa have been announced.
The New Zealander of The Year Awards has 22 finalists over seven categories who have been nominated for 2023.
The finalists for Kiwibank's New Zealander of the year - Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa are:
- Sir John Kirwan
- Jools and Lynda Topp - The Topp Twins
- Professor Rangi Mātāmua
- Ruby Tui
Former rugby player turned mental health advocate Sir John has made an impact on New Zealanders by helping provide tools to improve their mental health.
Jools and Lynda Topp are icons in Kiwi television with their show the Topp Twins. The performing duo also revealed they both had breast cancer in 2022.
Professor Rangi Mātāmua is a Māori astronomer who is known as "the man behind Matariki" after campaigning for Matariki to be celebrated for years.
Black Ferns star Ruby Tui made an impact on people throughout Aotearoa after winning the Rugby World Cup and showing young people they can succeed in the male-dominated world of sport.
Previous winners of the award include Sir Tā Tipene O'Regan 2022, Dr Siouxsie Wikes 2021 and Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand - 2020.
University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau 2023 finalists
- Elliot Jones
- Georgia Latu
- Shaneel Lal
Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau 2023 finalists
- Marie Jujnovich
- Sir Mark Dunjtschik
- Professor Sir Pou Temara
Spark New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau 2023 finalists
- Emily Blythe
- Robbie van Dam
- Vaughan Fergusson
MFE New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau 2023 finalists
- Camden Howitt
- Jessi Morgan
- Simon Hall
Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau 2023 finalists
- Achieving @Waitakere Charitable Trust
- National Pathway Charitable Group
- National Kindness Collective
Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o Te Tau 2023 finalists
- Ali Muhammad
- Dr Ellen Nelson
- Maia Mariner
The winners will be announced at an awards dinner on March 30.
