The judging committee of the New Zealander of the Year has delivered their verdict. And the winner is Richie McCaw.
In the court of public opinion they've hit one out of the park. Not only is Richie successful, he's community minded with a slew of charities benefiting from his patronage, but the main reason for his success is skippering a team that made all New Zealand proud. Proud of our accomplishments and proud of a peculiar New Zealand character. Humble, talented folk who conquer the world and say, "Aw shucks. It's about the team". Richie, Sir Ed, Jackson and others.
But my colleague at ZB, Alex Braae, has stuck his head over the barricade today and said, "Hold On!". He argues that Richie was just doing his job - very well, we may all add - but for him the true New Zealander of the Year was the nominee, Louise Nicholas.
He argues that "an opportunity has been missed to truly commend someone who has battled for decades to change New Zealand for the better."
"An award like New Zealander of the Year should, and worryingly may well, reflect what we value as a nation. This year the award recognised someone who made us feel fleetingly good, like a nation of winners.
Nicholas' work as an advocate for survivors of sexual violence rather proves that we aren't, in fact, a nation of winners, but a nation which cuts funding women's refuge centres and rape crisis houses"
"McCaw's physical efforts are admirable. Nicholas' mental efforts are far more worthy of praise.
An opportunity has been missed to truly commend someone who has battled for decades to change New Zealand for the better."
Brave man but I get where Alex is coming from. So much so that I'm compelled to praise my New Zealander of the Year, Rob Fenwick.
McCaw and Nicholas are headline hoggers. Both have parlayed a particular fame and talent into a career and livelihood. This is not to dismiss their efforts. They're worthy nominees but there's something about Rob I've admired for a long time.
Michelle Hewittson once described Rob Fenwick as the busiest man in New Zealand. From a career in journalism and PR he struck out in business. Founding Living Earth, the compost company, because of a lifetime concerned with soil quality and the environment. From there he has given his life to the quality of New Zealand.
He is chairman of Landcare Research, deputy chair of TVNZ and, of course, founding member and current chair of the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.
