2016

Peter Yealands is best known for being the owner and founder of Yealands Estate wines, based in the Awatere Valley in Marlborough. However, Peter’s entrepreneurial vision, successes and contributions to New Zealand reach far back beyond wine-making; having pioneered marine farming in New Zealand as well as establishing one of the country’s most successful deer farms.

Peter received an Environmental Award in 2003 and was named South Island Farmer of the Year by Lincoln University for his entrepreneurial spirit and unswerving passion for the land.

His trademark ‘can do’ attitude, commitment to the land and his reputation for ambitious, innovative and sustainable projects have helped preserve and enhance New Zealand for generations to come.

Peter’s many and varied successes have been recently chronicled in his biography ‘A Bloke for All Seasons’.

Watch Peter Yealands accept his award here.

Sir Mark Solomon KNZM is widely known for his commitment and contribution to his iwi, kotahitanga (unity) of Māori and the broader well-being of all New Zealanders and the environment.

A humble, compassionate and astute leader, Sir Mark worked for over twenty years as a foundry metal worker before being elected Kaiwhakahaere (Chair) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the tribal council of Ngāi Tahu in 1998. During this time, his contributions have been diverse and significant, ranging from fostering educational opportunities for young Māori, to taking a strong stance against whānau violence.

A strong advocate of the Māori economy, Sir Mark was instrumental in setting up the Iwi Chair Forum in 2005 and was an original member of the Māori Economic Taskforce established in 2009. Sir Mark was named as the ‘Visionary Leader of 2012’ in the Deloitte and New Zealand Management Magazine National Business Awards.

In the 2013 New Year Honours, he was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and business.

In 2015, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Lincoln University as a Doctor of Natural Resources, recognizing his enduring interest and concern for the natural environment.

Watch Sir Mark Solomon accept his award here.

Sarah Robb O’Hagan is considered one of New Zealand’s most successful businesswomen making an impact on the global stage. An executive at some of the world’s most iconic brands, marketing guru and entrepreneur, Sarah has been described as the ultimate example of where fierce businesswoman, mother and fitness fanatic combine.

Sarah was named among Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in Sports and one of the Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business. She was also named in the Top 40 Under 40 lists by Sports Business Journal (2009, 2011 and 2012), Sports Goods Business (2010) and Crain’s Chicago Business (2010) as well as named by Ad Age magazine among Women to Watch in 2010. In New Zealand, she is a recipient of the Sir Peter Blake Trust Award for outstanding leadership.

Sarah’s career has included leadership roles at AirNZ, Virgin, Nike, Gatorade and Equinox. However, Sarah’s biggest passion is helping individuals and companies achieve their potential. Her latest adventure is founding ExtremeYOU, a movement to unlock the potential of individuals, teams and organisations. Her book, ExtremeYOU will be published by HarperCollins in early 2017.

Watch Sarah Robb-O’Hagan accept her award here.

Sir Ralph Norris KNZM is a world-renowned business leader whose lifetime achievements have changed the global banking industry, as well as helped grow New Zealand’s identity as a nation of innovators and high achievers.

Sir Ralph is famously known for his six-year tenure as the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and for being the former CEO of ASB and Air New Zealand. Considered a Chief Executive in Shining Armour, Sir Ralph is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including Chief Executive of the year 1997 and 2004, New Zealand Executive of the Decade 2010, Māori Business Leader of the Year 2010 and Laureate of the Business Hall of Fame 2014.

In 2006, he was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and he was redesignated Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.

In Australia, he was named Australian Banking and Finance Banker of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and Banker of the Decade and Customer Service CEO of the Year in 2010. In 2012, the University of New South Wales conferred on Sir Ralph an Honorary Doctorate of Business in recognition of his contribution to Australian business.

Watch Sir Ralph Norris accept his award here.

Linda Jenkinson is a serial entrepreneur, and Chairman and Founder of John Paul, a global travel concierge provider to the world’s largest brands.  She is the first New Zealand woman to take a company public on the NASDAQ Exchange, the founder of three multi-million dollar companies, and co-founder of WOW Investments, a social enterprise fund that invests in women-owned businesses in West Africa.  

Despite being based between San Francisco and Sydney, Linda actively supports New Zealand across a broad range of initiatives including being a founding member of Kea, Director of AirNZ, The Grid and Global Women New Zealand, member of the New Zealand Olympic Counsel, advisor to the IceHouse and Director and Secretary of the Massey University Foundation.

She was also previously a Board Member of the NZTE Silicon Valley Beachhead Programme. Linda has received countless awards and accolades including being named one of The Most Influential Women in the Bay Area 2014, the first woman to receive The Sir Geoffrey Peren Award for Most Distinguished Alumni from Massey University in 2014, EY Master Entrepreneur of the Year New Zealand in 2013 and Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses 2004-2006.

Watch Linda Jenkinson accept her award here.

Matteo de Nora CNZM is often referred to as the man who saved Team New Zealand. Compelled by his love, respect and belief in the team, he became heavily involved in ensuring its survival and ultimate success.

In addition, Matteo has contributed significantly to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, funded a fellowship for research into a cure for tinnitus, funded the Neurology Research Unit at Auckland University, and provided specialist assistance to New Zealand families in need. His funding of the Tinnitus Research Initiative in particular has facilitated the sharing of research on a global scale that will benefit generations of people to come.

In 2011, Matteo was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to yachting and private funding of neurological research.

Watch Matteo de Nora accept his award here.