Last year Dr Doug Wilson was announced as Senior New Zealander of the Year. It is genuinely hard to put into one sentence why he was such as deserving recipient, please click to read about him here, the article incudes his top tips for aging better.

Below is a snap shot of the ten finalists this year. To read further about them, please click here. 

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be aged over 70 years and continue to make a positive contribution in Aotearoa, following their career in any service, sector or field. The nominee must be a role model to the wider community, particularly over the past 12-months.

Touring the Anne Frank exhibition throughout New Zealand, Boyd Klap has worked hard to promote inclusive communities and to end discrimination.

A campaigner for sexual abuse survivors, Dr Murray Heasley has helped numerous New Zealanders seek justice and gain acknowledgement of their experiences.

Erin ONeill understands the effects of addiction on family members: she runs Brave Hearts NZ – Manawa Kaha Aotearoa – a support network for whanau and friends with a loved in in addiction.

A strong presence in her Manukau community, Hansa Naran has spent decades using her voice to speak up for the rights of others, in 2021 she has been busy as a translator for the Indian community, an advocate for gender equality, and a fundraiser for Covid-19 relief support.

Murdoch Ross is a visionary who’s turned his ideas into action, championing the development of numerous community facilities in his home town of Whangārei.

Ngatuakana O-Rangi Wichman is a force in her community, she ensures people are provided with practical items such as food and clothing, and by teaching life-skills and self-sufficiency.

Pat Macaulay is a stalwart supporter of rural New Zealand, for more than 50 years she has volunteered, championed and fundraised for rural and farming communities.

Rereata Makiha believes in the power of sharing knowledge and using oral traditions - korero-tuku-iho to connect and educate the next generation.

Te Warihi Hetaraka’s work in the arts as a leader, adviser and practitioner has centred around passing on mātauranga Māori traditional knowledge systems.

Terry Foster is a pioneer of community-led housing, his work with not-for-profit housing provider, Abbeyfield New Zealand, has changed the landscape for retired living options.