---
title: Mark Dunajtschik wins senior New Zealander of the year
description: Ryman Healthcare residents were delighted to see prima ballerina Rowena Jackson honoured at a wonderful portrait unveiling at their Invercargill village
---

[Ryman Healthcare | Ryman news ](https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/blog)

# [Mark Dunajtschik wins senior New Zealander of the year](https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/blog/mark-dunajtschik-wins-senior-new-zealander-of-the-year)

 Written by [Ryman Healthcare](https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/blog/author/ryman-healthcare) | Mar 30, 2023

Your 2023 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau is Sir Mark Dunajtschik.

Mark, a holocaust survivor from the former Yugoslavia, has called New Zealand home for more than 60 years.

After accepting his award in front of over a thousand guests last night at the Cordis Auckland, Mark humbly said “I just want to say to Ryman Healthcare and all the other judges and people, I feel very happy and proud the community appreciates my contribution. Thank you.”

A successful businessman and property developer, he's celebrated for philanthropy in his beloved Wellington. A true pioneer of kindness, generosity, and support.

Some of his achievements include: 

●    Setting up the [air rescue service](https://www.westpac.co.nz/rednews/honouring-40-years-of-life-flight-and-the-lives-it-has-saved/) with the late Sir Peter Button.   
●    Helping fund [Wellington’s Children’s Hospital](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-hospital-opens-wellington-children) Te Wao Nui.    
●    Contributing towards a new [mental health centre at Hutt Hospital](https://whf.org.nz/news/mark-dunajtschik-announces-50-million-new-mental-health-unit). 

Mark can be modest about his contributions but was extremely honoured to have picked up the top prize. “I’ve been knighted and now this, I don’t look for accolades I do it because I want to do it.

 

[View full post](https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/blog/mark-dunajtschik-wins-senior-new-zealander-of-the-year)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Ryman Healthcare"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-01-19T02:06:56.113Z",
  "datePublished" : "2023-03-30T19:30:00Z",
  "headline" : "Mark Dunajtschik wins senior New Zealander of the year",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 60,
    "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
    "width" : 60
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/blog/mark-dunajtschik-wins-senior-new-zealander-of-the-year",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "The Ryman Blog"
  }
}
```