Former Black Ferns and All Blacks coach Wayne Smith and community leader David Letele are among the semi-finalists for New Zealander of the Year.
The nominees were announced on Wednesday morning with the judging panel saying the semi-finalists upheld the mana and spirit of the awards and have continuously sparked joy and impact across the motu.
"After a few years of uncertainty, 2023 has marked a unique year for Aotearoa. Through change and re-navigation, as a nation, we've had a rare opportunity to look inwards and move in a new direction. Focusing our attention to the challenges and opportunities that exist right here on our shores," a statement announcing the nominees said.
The New Zealander of The Year Awards has 70 finalists over seven categories who have been nominated for 2024.
All semi-finalists go in for consideration for the next round of judging, where they're carefully whittled down to just three finalists in each award category, to be announced on February 21 2024.
The award winners will be revealed on March 27, 2024 at a function in Auckland.
The semi-finalist for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa are:
- Blair Jamieson
- David Letele
- Haehaetu Barrett
- Jim Salinger
- Kiri Nathan
- Lee Timutimu
- Linda Tuhiwai Smith
- Rachel Smalley
- Sarai Bareman
- Sir Wayne Smith
The semi-finalist for the University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau are:
- Bariz Shah
- Cha'nel Kaa-Luke
- Ihorangi Reweti Peters
- Josiah Tualamali'i
- Julia Arnott-Neenee
- Keegan Jones
- Maia Tipene
- Simran Kaur
- Tayla Naismit
- Te Matahiapo Hynes
The semi-finalist for the Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau are:
- Bob Francis
- Douglas Wingfield 'Scotty'
- Gary Dalton
- Jeet Suchdev
- Ken Keys
- Jim Salinger
- Patricia Allen
- Mani Mitchell MNZM
- Neill Simpson
- Robert McGowan
The semi-finalist for the Spark New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau are:
- Brianne West
- Cecilia Robinson
- Craig Piggott
- Danny Ing
- Don Sandbrook
- Jonathan Ring
- Logan Walker
- Mark Finch
- Martin Wylie
- Stefan Powell & James Powell
The semi-finalist for the Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau are:
- Aviva
- Cyclone Gabrielle Volunteers (representative to be confirmed)
- Backcountry Trust Aotearoa/New Zealand
- Give a Kid a Blanket
- Jobs for Mums
- She Sharp
- Taskforce Kiwi
- Te Puna Reo o Manga Tangaroa
- Voice of Aroha
- WELLfed NZ Trust
The semi-finalist for the Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year 2024 Te Pou Toko o te Tau are:
- Amelia Kaui
- Colin Kilpatrick
- Dr Olive Webb
- Dr Ruakere Hond
- Jeanne O'Brien
- Matt Brown
- Neela Neela
- Gwyneth Beard
- Parminder Kaur
- Sally Walker
The semi-finalist for the Ministry for the Environment New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau are:
- Angela Clifford
- Graeme Atkins
- Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr
- Joanne Murray
- Michelle Impey
- Nicola MacDonald
- Paul Ward
- Stewart Bull
- Stuart Muir
- Tohe Ashby
