UK New Zealander of the Year 2022 Award - New Zealand Society (UK)

Finalists of the UK New Zealander of the Year Awards 2022

After an unprecedented break with tradition the UK New Zealander of the Year Award is back. 2022 is a year of celebrations. HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the NZ Society's 95th anniversary, 35th anniversary of the Māori Language Act 1987 and the 22nd Commonwealth Games.

We are excited and extremely proud to announce the three finalists of the UK New Zealander of The Year Award 2022! 🇳🇿💫

Corey Baker, for his work promoting dance to a wider audience and his work during lockdown for the BBC, Greenpeace, COP26 and his recent appointment as choreographer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Corey has been and advocate for NZ and Māori dance and culture, bringing it to a wider community unknown to it.

Loryn Cooper, work undertaken with Love Grace Charity - organising and managing the Love Grace Appeal in 2020 at New Zealand House, with donations passed to Women's Refuge. Set up in memory of Grace Millane who was tragically murdered whilst travelling in New Zealand in December 2018, this appeal has helped many women and demonstrated the community spirit.

Emma Rigby BEM for setting up an award winning local business and community platform Love Your Doorstep started in 2012. Originally set up following the London riots in Enfield and is the team behind the Community Patrol Project. They work to support the community and local business across various projects. Emma has been at the forefront of supporting and assisting so many from the community she works with. She has recently been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) by HM The Queen for her ‘hands on’ community approach. Her work has positively impacted many communities stretching far beyond her local Enfield.

Well done to our three 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 U.K. 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 Sheraton Grand Park Lane in Mayfair, London, on Friday 4th February 2022.

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

Previous winners include: 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.

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.

“In 2022 we stand still, celebrate and reflect on the 182nd 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. With the pandemic still dominating our lives globally, distances more noticeable than ever, I am incredibly proud of these nominees. Reflecting on 2020 and 2021 and the three 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 three 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.”