Tiny Deane, left, and Scotty Morrison. Photo / File
Tiny Deane, left, and Scotty Morrison. Photo / File
Rotorua homeless advocate Tiny Deane and broadcaster, publisher and te reo Māori promotor Scotty Morrison have been named as semifinalists in the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards – Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa.
Semifinalists were announced in six award categories yesterday.
Three finalists will be announced for the six Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards – Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa categories on Monday, March 1, with winners announced at the New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala Dinner in Auckland on March 31.
Deane, who founded the Visions of the Helping Hand Charitable Trust to provide assistance and support for the homeless, told the Rotorua Daily Post that he was humbled to be named as a semifinalist.
Tiny Deane is a semi finalist in the New Zealander of the Year Awards. Photo / File
Husband and wife presenters, Stacey and Scotty Morrison who have both written books in te reo. Photo / File
Morrison only came to te reo Māori after leaving high school, but has gone on to become an Associate Professor in the language and culture, and has been at the forefront of its revitalisation in recent years.
He is the presenter of Te Karere and Marae and has presented learning Māori in a friendly, empowering and accessible way through his 14 books which have sold over 150,000 copies combined, and Māori Made Easy, first published in 2015, still appears on bestseller lists today.
Other Bay of Plenty individuals and groups are included in several of the categories.
Ōpōtiki's Robert Tuahuru Edwards and Taupō's Dr Doug Wilson are in the running for Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year – Te Mātāpuputu o Te Tau.
SuperGrans Western Bay of Plenty Charitable is a semifinalist in Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year – Ngā Pou Whirinaki o Te Tau.
Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards patron Miriama Kamo said: "It has been an extraordinary past year – one which has challenged us beyond what we thought possible.
"Despite that, New Zealanders across Aotearoa have stepped up to act as 'pou,' as support and strength for whānau, for communities, for our country and beyond. It's an honour and a privilege to play a role in acknowledging the achievements of our semifinalists. Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa."
The annual Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards are in their 12th year. The awards celebrate Kiwi from all walks of life; those who inspire, give hope and lead across the six different award categories.
The awards encourage New Zealanders to honour extraordinary Kiwi, those who use their passion to make Aotearoa a better place.
The awards office received a record number of nominations in 2020 to be rigorously evaluated by at least two rounds of independent and diverse judging panels.
A significant number of these nominations were for director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, however when contacted, Dr Bloomfield's office responded to say although humbled, he wishes not to be considered for the award given his primary role as a public servant.
In a statement from his office he said he wishes the candidates well and he will be watching with interest on the night.
The Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year – Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa
Farid Ahmed (Christchurch) Tiny Deane (Rotorua) Chris Farrelly (Auckland) Masjid An-Nur Imam Gamal Fouda (Christchurch) Craig Hudson (Auckland) Scotty Morrison (Auckland) Ranjna Patel (Auckland) Dr Sean Simpson (Auckland) Melissa Vining (Southland) Dr Siouxsie Wiles (Auckland)
University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year – Te Mātātahi o Te Tau
Dr Zhiyan Basharati (Christchurch) Lucy Blakiston (Wellington) Sarah Colcord (Auckland) Madeleine de Young (Auckland) Brianna Fruean (Auckland) Arizona Leger (Auckland) Pania Newton (Auckland) Alana Scott (Waikato) Chlöe Swarbrick (Auckland) Jazz Thornton (Auckland)
Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year – Te Mātāpuputu o Te Tau
Robert Tuahuru Edwards (Ōpōtiki) Graham Roy Falla (Auckland) Jacqueline Grant (Hokitika) Nigel Hampton QC (Canterbury) Alexandra Mary Raine (Lexie) Matheson (Auckland) Desmond Smith (Wellington) Alison Nan McLellan (Auckland) Hare Williams (Auckland) Dr Doug Wilson (Taupō)
Trade Me New Zealand Innovator of the Year – Te Pou Whakairo O Te Tau
Canaan Aumua (Auckland) Emily Blythe (Christchurch) Sarah Colcord (Auckland) Kami: Bob Drummond, Alliv Samson, Jordan Thoms, Henjie Wang (Auckland) James Hayes (Christchurch) Shama Lee (Auckland) Ranjna Patel (Auckland) Craig Piggott (Auckland) Hīria te Rangi (Wellington) Carmen Vicelich (Auckland)
Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year – Ngā Pou Whirinaki o Te Tau
Baby Loss NZ (Auckland) Christchurch Mosque Victims Group (Christchurch) I Have a Dream Charitable Trust (Whangarei) Manaaki (Auckland) Queenstown Lakes District Covid-19 Welfare (Otago) Seasons For Growth (Nationwide) SuperGrans Western Bay of Plenty Charitable (Bay of Plenty) Te Puea Memorial Marae Indigenous Homeless Service Delivery Model (Auckland) Trees That Count (Wellington) University of Canterbury Student Volunteer Army (Christchurch)
Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year – Te Pou Toko o Te Tau
Amal Abdullahi (Wellington) Jignal Bhagvandas (Auckland) Mataio Brown (Christchurch) Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tapua'i (Auckland) Josh Hickford (New Plymouth) Carolyn Press-McKenzie (Wellington) Danika Revell (Auckland) Mustafa Sheikh (Auckland) Shannon Te Huia (Waikato) Makasini Tulimaiau (Auckland)
Previous winners of the New Zealander of the Year award
Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand (2020), Mike King (2019), Kristine Bartlett (2018), Taika Waititi (2017), Richie McCaw (2016), Sir Stephen Tindall (2015), Dr Lance O'Sullivan (2014), Dame Anne Salmond (2013), Sir Richard Taylor (2012), Sir Paul Callaghan (2011) and Sir Ray Avery (2010).
