We are beyond excited to announce that the nominations for the annual UK New Zealander of the Year 2020 have opened!

As part of the annual Waitangi Day celebrations, the New Zealand Society (UK) and Air New Zealand are again seeking nominations for this prestigious award.

The New Zealand Society established this Award in 1999 to recognise and honour those New Zealanders or British nationals who have gone above and beyond their daily or professional lives to make a difference in presenting the most positive image of New Zealand within the UK. It symbolises the continuation of the close relationship between the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are looking for Award nominees from a wide cross-section of the community. This may include those who are very much in the limelight to people who have devoted themselves quietly to promoting New Zealand in the UK. See here for more details click here

The Award’s prestigious alumni are: Ereti Mitchell 2019, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa 2018, Lady Alexandra Smith 2017, Mark Wilson 2016, Katherine Corich 2015, Eric Tracey 2014, Bronwen Horton 2013, Kent Gardner 2012, Terry Smith 2011, Anna Hansen MBE 2010, Esther Kerr Jessop QSM 2009, Dr Ian Conrich 2008, Jonathan Rennie 2007, Tom & Susan Glynn 2006, Peter Leslie 2005, Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas 2004, The Rt. Hon Don McKinnon 2003, Harry Mahon OBE 2002, Michael Campbell CNZM 2001, Sir Mark Todd 2000 and Peter Gordon ONZM 1999.

Waitangi Day Charity Ball Early Bird tickets are now on SALE.

I certainly look forward to our annual Waitangi Day Church Service which will be held on the 180th anniversary and actual Waitangi Day this year - 6th February 2020. On the 7th February 2020 we will return to the Waldorf Hilton on Aldwych to host our Waitangi Day Charity Ball 2020. Discounted early bird tickets for this event have gone online on our website. This year includes a limited under 35 ticket price for younger members. If you are interested in reserving or booking tickets and want to be invoiced or pay via bank transfer, please email treasurer@nzsociety.co.uk OR click here to buy online.

Dinner with HRH The Prince of Wales

An evening of incredible significance for New Zealand and the New Zealand community in the UK. Through this event we raise money and are able to support our New Zealand community here in the UK through our Charitable Grant scheme.

This year we have frozen our ticket prices for a 5th year in a row. Furthermore we have launched our Early Bird tickets as well as a limited under 35 tickets for members. Please make sure you have a valid membership (valid until at least 7th February) when buying membership tickets. All tickets will be checked and verified on membership.

For any enquiries please email president@nzsociety.co.uk

Dress code: Evening Dress/Black Tie with decorations

Early Bird Ticketing until 1st December

• NZSUK Member prices - £150pp or £1,450 for a table of 10
• Limited u35 Member prices - £135 or £1325 for a table of 10
• Non-Member prices - £170pp or £1,650 for a table of 10

From 2nd December Price will increase to

• NZSUK Member prices - £170pp or £1,650 for a table of 10
• Limited u35 members price - £160 (no group discount)
• Non-Member prices- £190pp or £1,850 for a table of 10

Blast from the past

Kia ora!

A warm welcome from me, as the newly appointed President of the New Zealand Society UK. I hope you had a splendid summer either in the UK, NZ or maybe further afield. It is an honour and privilege to serve as President in what is going to be an exciting year. My heart lies, as with many of you, in Aotearoa New Zealand. I am also delighted to convey the well wishes to the entire society on behalf of our Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

It is also an honour to be part of this incredible family, which again is part of an incredible New Zealand tapestry of organisations here in the United Kingdom ranging from Kea, NZBWN, NZWA, Ngati Ranana and the various other organisations tying home with the UK. It is all about unity, co-operation and community. This year we will face some interesting and perhaps difficult political changes in the UK. However the New Zealand Society will always provide information along with its community partners and the High Commission.

He waka eke noa! A waka which we are all in - with no exception!

A Maori proverb states this so clearly. I will not be able to perform any duties without the help of my two VPs, Justine and Fletcher as well as the entire committee.

This year I look forward enhancing the relationship with our New Zealand scholars and Company of Girdlers who have generously supported us throughout the years, as well as enhancing community engagement and to offer a variety of events. Furthermore I am delighted to announce that we are offering Honorary Membership to the New Zealand scholars for their entire tenure at Oxford or Cambridge. This will foster our relationship with the Girlders but also with the scholars providing them a home away from home.

I certainly look forward to our annual Waitangi Day Church Service which will be held on the 180th anniversary and actual Waitangi Day this year - 6th February 2020. On the 7th February 2020 we will return to the Waldorf Hilton on Aldwych to host our Waitangi Day Charity Ball 2020. Discounted early bird tickets for this event will go online on the 1st October. If you are interested in reserving tickets please email president@nzsociety.co.uk.

We are finalising our programme for this year including newly diner pensants wtih inspirational New Zealanders, gallery visits, film night, wine tastings and of course our annual Christmas Fayre and ANZAC reception.

The coming weeks we are updating our website to make it as user friendly as possible. Do have a peak at our Kiwi Calendar.

Not a member yet? Join the New Zealand Society UK and support our Charitable Fund giving out grants to inspirational people promoting New Zealand as well as receiving invitations and many discounts through our Loyal Kiwi Card scheme.

The New Zealand Society’s committee is open to anyone and would welcome anyone interested to join us or become a committee member. Wherever we are from we can always benefit from being open to different ideas and encouragement of those around us. Each of us can also make a positive difference by being willing to contribute and offer support. Interested? please email president@nzsociety.co.uk.

I hope to see you at one of our events this year. In the meantime dust of your flag and scarves for what is going to be a marvellous Rugby World Cup.

He waka eke noa! A waka which we are all in - with no exception!

Yours,

The Hon Clarence Tan
President

The New Zealand Society established this Award in 1999 to recognise and honour those New Zealanders or British nationals who have gone above and beyond their daily or professional lives to make a difference in presenting the most positive image of New Zealand within the U.K. It symbolises the continuation of the close relationship between the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

In partnership with the sponsors of this award for the 14th consecutive year, Air New Zealand, we are absolutely delighted to announce that, at the Waitangi Day Charity Ball on 8th February 2019, the Air New Zealand UK New Zealander of the Year Award 2019 was awarded to Mrs Ereti Mitchell, President of the NZ Society Scotland.

The evening was made even more special for Ereti by her sister Michelle coming over to London from NZ for only four days, especially to support Ereti! And by her loyal supporters from the NZ Society Scotland traveling to be with her at the Ball, including her Vice President Molly Smith.

The pākē (ceremonial shawls) awarded to our three incredible finalists for the Air New Zealand UK New Zealander of the Year Award by the Rt Hon. Sir Jerry Mateparae, High Commissioner for NZ to the UK, were designed, woven and blessed in NZ and transported to us especially for the award ceremony by Ataraiti Waretini from Maru Creations. These taonga were created specifically for finalists Colleen Toomey, Jo Walsh and Ereti Mitchell, weaving parts of each wonderful lady’s story into the taniko (pattern and colours) by Ataraiti and are unique to each of them, and to this moment in time.

Previous winners include: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa 2018, Lady Alexandra Smith 2017, Mark Wilson 2016, Katherine Corich 2015, Eric Tracey 2014, Bronwen Horton 2013, Kent Gardner 2012, Terry Smith 2011, Anna Hansen MBE 2010, Esther Kerr Jessop QSM 2009, Dr Ian Conrich 2008, Jonathan Rennie 2007, Tom & Susan Glynn 2006, Peter Leslie 2005, Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas 2004, The Rt. Hon Don McKinnon 2003, (The late) Harry Mahon OBE 2002, Michael Campbell CNZM 2001, Sir Mark Todd 2000 and Peter Gordon ONZM 1999.

Air New Zealand, General Manager UK & Europe, Joanna Copestake says: “Air New Zealand is passionate about showcasing the best of New Zealand on the world stage and is incredibly proud to sponsor the UK New Zealander of the Year award which formally recognises the impressive achievements of UK-based Kiwis.”

Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and is a public holiday in New Zealand.

The Annual New Zealand Society Waitangi Day Charity Ball is the biggest event on the NZ Society UK calendar, raising funds for the Society’s Charitable Grant Fund, which allows the Society to support New Zealanders from across the United Kingdom who are doing amazing things to strengthen ties between NZ and the UK.

The Prize Draw is to win two tickets to a New Zealand Society (UK) event of the nominator’s choice from March 2019 to November 2019 (inclusive).

The 2019 UK New Zealander of the Year Award is proudly sponsored for the 19th consecutive year by Air New Zealand.

As the New Zealand flag carrier, Air New Zealand flies daily between London and New Zealand.