"It was truly outstanding and you should be very proud. I know how hard these things are to put together but this event worked brilliantly and I was pleased to be part of the celebration."
Mark Ellis

"Also, our table companions were great fun and there was a lot of exchanging of phone numbers and email addresses at the end of the night."
Peter Champion

 

Photographs of the dinner on this page are courtesy of www.simply-photography.co.uk - take a look at their Dinner Dance page on their web site for more images, available to order.

Dinner Sponsors (suppliers of fine food and wine)
New Zealand Farmers Ltd, PPCS Group - B Brooks (Norwich) Ltd, Barfoots of Botley, NZ Milk (UK) Fonterra Group, Trinity Hill Wine, Fonterra, Sealord Caistor, Babich wines, Bullet Expresso, Villa Maria Wines, Mudhouse Wines, Monteiths

Welcome Reception
New Zealand Inspired, Pelorus Wines

Speaker and NZ'er of the Year Gifts
Kiwifruits the New Zealand Shop

Goody Bags and Raffle Prizes
Sailing Holidays, Bleeding Heart, Canterbury of New Zealand, Kiwi Prime Property, Aunty's Old Fashioned Foods, Tourism NZ, Haka New Zealand Ltd, The Highlands, Fisher Fine Arts

Translation - KIWA

More about our sponsors
Please support them as they support us.

Guests on arrival

(l-r) Karyn Newman, NZer of the Year finalists, Rev and Marion Olsen, Scott Carr from Air New Zealand, speaker Kerry Fox, Next Year's Master Girdler and his wife, Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt ONZ, NZ Society President Maria Wickens

Speaker Kerry Fox

Marion Olsen leads the National Anthems

Raffle Prize winner -
return trip for 2 to NZ courtesy of Air New Zealand

Cultural performance from London based Ngati Ranana

New Zealander of the Year

(l-r) Scott Carr, Air New Zealand General Manager Europe;
Tim Drysdale;
Maria Wickens, NZ Society President;
Jonathan Rennie;
Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt ONZ, New Zealand High Commissioner.

Photo courtesy of Simply Photography

On presenting the Air New Zealand sponsored award, the airline's European General Manager, Scott Carr said  "We are delighted to give the award to Jonathan Rennie. I had the honour of attending the New Zealand memorial dedication last year which was a tremendous day for New Zealanders. Jonathan's input into the project was invaluable in creating such a lasting tribute at Hyde Park Corner which all New Zealanders can identify with and feel proud to be a kiwi."

Mr Rennie said that he was delighted to receive the award and wished to acknowledge all those who had played a role in the memorial project as it was very much a team effort.  Recognition was also given to the other nominees and finalists, who had all made significant contributions in a range of activities enhancing New Zealand's profile in the United Kingdom.  This year saw a record number of nominations from ballet dancers to rugby league players which is testament both to how the award has grown and to the diversity of achievement by New Zealanders in the United Kingdom.
 
The runners up were John Buchanan and Dr Tim Drysdale. John Buchanan is a businessman who has held directorships on a number of UK companies, including BP, and was named in the Times Power 100 in 2006.  Dr Tim Drysdale is a scientist recognised for his leadership in communication of science, most notably at an exhibit at Buckingham Palace last year.

The annual dinner was attended by the Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt ONZ as High Commissioner and patron of the New Zealand Society, with messages from the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark MP and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh adding to the event, which boasted a five course meal of New Zealand beverage and produce and performance by the London based Maori culture club Ngati Ranana.