2011 World Class New Zealand Awards

Presented by Kea and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, these awards recognise and celebrate successful New Zealanders and friends of New Zealand who help enhance the reputation of our country on the world stage.

Kea co-founder and Chair, Sir Stephen Tindall, believes the World Class NZ Awards hold a special place on the country’s awards calendar as they look beyond our shores to showcase New Zealand's best talent.

He comments, "The exciting thing is, every year the Awards grow and we've only just touched on the number of talented New Zealanders out there. There are large numbers of Kiwis living and working overseas. The challenge is keeping them connected to New Zealand and helping them contribute to the country’s success internationally, something Kea seeks to promote through its global network of Kiwi expats and other friends of New Zealand."

The judges for the 2011 Awards are:

• Sir Stephen Tindall, Chair, Kea New Zealand
• Jon Mayson, Chair, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
• Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister and the 2006 WCNZ Research, Science, Technology & Academia Award winner
• Bridget Liddell, Managing Principal of Fahrenheit Ventures
• Jane Hunter, Hunter's Wines and the 2009 WCNZ Manufacturing Award winner
• John Stace, Professional Director and Kea New Zealand Board member

Award nominees are evaluated against five main criteria, specifically how they:

• Facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge or skills from and about New Zealand.
• Foster New Zealand innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Act as a role model on the world stage.
• Promote New Zealand internationally.
• Build global connections with New Zealand.

Winners are chosen in each of eight award categories, along with an overall Supreme Award winner:

• Friend of New Zealand (to be annouced on 6 April)
• New Thinking - Sam Morgan
• Life Sciences - Professor Bob Elliott
• Creative - Dr Michael Stedman
• Investment & Business - Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas
• Information & Communications - Michael Boustridge
• Manufacturing, Design & Innovation - Sir George Fistonich
• Science, Technology & Academia - Dame Professor Anne Salmond

Read more about the 2011 WCNZ Award winners

2011 World Class New Zealad Awards - Gala Dinner Evening

The 2011 World Class New Zealand Awards are being held in Auckland on Wednesday, 6th April, in The Great Room at The Langham Hotel.

Click here for more information and how to order tickets

See photos and videos from the 2010 World Class New Zealand Awards.

These awards could not happen without the generous support of our sponsors. Our thanks to these companies for their contribution to the success of this prestigious event:

• Air New Zealand
• BDO
• Ernst & Young
• Fuji Xerox
• Gen-i
• MetService
• Ministry of Science + Innovation
• The Royal Society of New Zealand
• Seek Design
• Wellington City Council
• Westpac