We are excited and extremely proud to announce the five finalists of the UK New Zealander of The Year Award 2024! 💫

First of all a massive thank you to all you who have nominated so many talented people! We had a number of strong entries but unfortunately we had to narrow it down to an unprecedented 5 finalists! Join us on the 9th February 2024 at the Waldorf Ballroom when we award the UK New Zealander of the Year Award 2024. This year's nominees are a cross section of what we kiwis do best. Congratulations to all of them.

In 2024 we stand still, celebrate and reflect on the 184th anniversary of the singing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Ever since 1840 New Zealanders have played an integral part in community work and being an advocate of showcasing humility and hard work in the UK and on the world stage.

The Committee and Membership of the New Zealand Society of the UK feel very privileged to be the custodians of this important Award on behalf of our NZ community within the UK. I am therefore incredibly proud to announce the following finalists: Molly Bedingfield, Bryce Check, Julia Maile, Rebecca Scown and Mary Strang. Reflecting on 2023 and the nominees, this year’s finalists were carefully selected by the judging panel from across our NZ network of professional and volunteer organisations. Each nominee brings such a wealth of generosity, knowledge, energy and initiative into deepening the already strong links between Aotearoa NZ and the UK. Our extraordinary finalists are this year’s Southern Cross most brightly shining examples of that unique ‘get stuck in Kiwi spirit’.

The community stands in the centre of what they achieved and are continue to achieve. It is this simplicity of community engagement that makes it so universally appealing: simple happenings that formed the starting point of many people being positively affected. We congratulate all the nominees and finalists on behalf of our wider community, without who’s belief in and support of this prestigious Award we would not be in a position to so meaningfully thank our finalists and recipients for their contribution to our shared NZ / UK community.

Molly Bedingfield, for her work as the founder and visionary behind the internationally renowned The Global Angels Foundation as well as the Director at Transform Your World. As the CEO of this international foundation, Molly has dedicated herself to empowering disadvantaged communities across the globe.

Molly has been a staple in the London-New Zealand community since moving over in the early 2000’s. She has always been willing to lend a hand, connect with newly arrived New Zealanders or support women in business.

Bryce Check, for his work as founder of Kiwis in Property. Kiwis in Property is a social networking group for New Zealanders working in the UK commercial property sector. Kiwis in Property has hosted many high profile New Zealanders as speakers beyond the realm of property. Bryce has shown true kiwi spirit by always finding time to meet up with people who have just arrived in the UK. He generously gives his time and shares his vast network.

Kiwis in Property has brought together people, and through their all inclusive events is accessible to all throwing fun into the mix with their Hawaiian shirt or Christmas Jumper events.

Julia Maile for starting MerryGoRound after she read in her local newspaper, the Islington Gazette, that 47% of children in the borough are living in poverty. MerryGoRound was started so that children's clothes can be passed from one family to another- creating a circle of love within the community.

Actions not words, We and not Me. Julia has brought to life a practical way for many to share and show Aroha within the community. The caring spirit of herself and team is not about shouting “I am Kiwi” but in having taken action and thought of others ahead of themselves.

Rebecca Scown for growing the influence and impact of YES and other charities focused on youth and sport in the UK as well as co-founding Tima, a digital sports platform for grassroots sport in the UK. Rebecca has been leading and coordinating numerous fundraising events for YES including charity runs and for the of CEO, of also kiwi run, Sleepout.

Rebecca has represented Aotearoa New Zealand at high profile events such as King Charles III Coronation, Rowing Regattas, and other internationally recognised sporting events in UK and Europe. Continually supporting Kea and other NZ Society aligned communities in the UK.

Mary Strang for her work as co chair of FANZA (Foundation for Australia and New Zealand Arts), promoting and supporting New Zealand artists and writers in the UK. Mary was key for fundraising for FANZA, pre and post pandemic, which has now reasonably secure future funding. Mary was instrumental in enhancing the new website, and regular newsletters. Through Mary's work, including with Creative New Zealand, she has helped many kiwi artists including going to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Well done to our incredible finalists ♥️👏

The Award, which was established by the New Zealand Society 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. The award will be presented to the winner at the annual New Zealand Society UK’s Waitangi Day Charity Ball in The Ballroom of The Waldorf Hilton in Aldwych, London, on Friday 9th February 2024. bit.ly/KiwiCalendar

Come and support these incredible kiwis! Tickets are still available by contacting ticketing@nzsociety.co.uk or treasurer@nzsociety.co.uk

Previous winners include: Craig Fenton 2023, Corey Baker 2022, Tania Bearsley 2020, Ereti Mitchell 2019, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ CH DBE AC 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 ONZM, 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.

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.

I am sincerely proud of our wonderful finalists and I look forward to celebrate their achievements at the Waitangi Day Ball with you.

Ngā mih nui,

The Hon Clarence Tan
President, New Zealand Society (UK)