The NEXT Woman of the Year awards were annual awards in New Zealand, conferred by NEXT magazine (published by Are Media), to "celebrate the outstanding achievements of New Zealand women". The awards, generally announced in October, were first held in 2010, and had five categories, Health & Science, Arts & Culture, Sports, Business and Community. By 2019, two further categories had been added: Education, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. From these category winners, a supreme winner, the NEXT Woman of the Year, was selected. When Bauer Media exited magazine publishing in New Zealand in 2020, Next magazine ceased publishing, and the Woman of the Year awards have not been made since.[1]
2019 awards
2019 winners were announced at an event held at the Cordis Hotel in October 2019.[2][3]
Supreme Winner: Diana Sarfati, public health physician and cancer epidemiologist
Health & Science: Diana Sarfati
Business & innovation: Helen Robinson, former managing director of Microsoft NZ, and co-founder of feminine hygiene brand Oi (Organic Initiative)
Education: Dianne Daniels, founder of company Digital Wings
Sport: Neelusha Jennings, founder of charity "Limitless with Support", which links able-bodied and disabled people.
Community: Zhiyan Basharati, leader of CVOC (Christchurch Victims' Organising Committee)
Lifetime Achievement Awards: The Topp Twins, iconic entertainers
2018 awards
2018 awards were announced on 11 October.[4] The judges included NEXT editor Rachael Russell.[4]
Supreme Winner: Philippa Howden-Chapman, "for her long-standing crusade for healthy, warm and dry homes in New Zealand".
Health & Science: Philippa Howden-Chapman
Lifetime Achievement Award: Diane Foreman, entrepreneur and chief executive of The Emerald Group, "for her work in paving the way for women in business"
Arts & Culture: Renee Liang, multi-disciplinary artist, community arts activist and part-time paediatrician
Education: Rachel Williamson, for establishing the Summer Learning Journey programme to help students at low-decile schools
Sport: Sarah Leberman, sports researcher and co-founder of Women in Sports Aotearoa
Business & Innovation: Sharndre Kushor, co-founder of university admissions consulting company Crimson Education
Community: Merenia Donne, founder of Kotuku Foundation Assistance Animals Aotearoa
The 2016 winners were announced on 14 October 2016.[6] The judges were Sarah Henry, NEXT Editorial Director, Louise Upston, Minister for Women, CEO of Xero Rod Drury, and television presenter Toni Street.
Education: Anne Gaze, founder of tutoring programme Campus Link
Community: Dale Nirvani Pfeifer, creator of GoodWorld, a company that enables instant charitable donations via social media
2015 awards
The 2015 awards were announced on 9 October.[7] The judges were Minister for Women Louise Upston, Geoff Ross, Chairman of Trilogy International and CEO of Moa Brewing Company, and NEXT editor Sarah Henry.[7]
The 2014 awards were announced on 10 October.[8] Besides NEXT Magazine editor Sarah Henry, the judging panel was made up of previous winners of the awards, Julie Chapman, Julie Bartlett, Lesley Elliott and Emma Parry.[8]
Supreme Winner: Sita Selupe, founder and principal of Rise UP Academy and CEO of Rise UP Trust
The first awards were announced on 12 August 2010.[14][15] The Supreme Winner was Emma Parry for her work on access to high risk maternity services.[16]