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Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Award Semifinalists

Written by Christine McCurdy
on December 10, 2021

The semifinalists for Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Award - Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau for 2022 have been named.

These people have all made a positive contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand later in life, and their trailblazing innovations, commitment, selflessness, and vision help make the world around them a better place.

The 2022 semifinalists:

Boyd Klap CNZM QSO
Touring the Anne Frank exhibition throughout New Zealand, Boyd Klap has worked hard to promote inclusive communities and to end discrimination.

Dr Murray Heasley
A campaigner for sexual abuse survivors, Dr Murray Heasley has helped many New Zealanders seek justice and gain acknowledgement of their experiences.

Erin O’Neill
Erin O’Neill understands the effects of addiction on family members: she runs Brave Hearts NZ – Manawa Kaha Aotearoa – a support network for whanau and friends with a loved one in addiction.

Hansa Naran
A strong presence in her Manukau community, Hansa Naran has spent decades using her voice to speak up for the rights of others, is a translator for the Indian community, an advocate for gender equality, and a fundraiser for Covid-19 relief support.

Murdoch Ross
Murdoch Ross is a visionary who has turned his ideas into action, championing the development of many community facilities in his hometown of Whangārei.

Ngatuakana O-Rangi Wichman
Ngatuakana O-Rangi Wichman is a force in her community, ensuring people are provided with practical items such as food and clothing, and teaches life-skills and self-sufficiency.

Pat Macaulay
Pat Macaulay is a stalwart supporter of rural New Zealand, and for more than 50 years she has volunteered, championed, and fundraised for rural and farming communities.

Rereata Makiha
Rereata Makiha is an innovator who believes in the power of sharing knowledge and using oral traditions - korero-tuku-iho to connect and educate the next generation.

Te Warihi Hetaraka
Te Warihi Hetaraka’s work in the arts as a leader, adviser and practitioner has centred around passing on mātauranga Māori traditional knowledge systems.

Terry Foster
Terry Foster is a pioneer of community-led housing, and his work with not-for-profit housing provider, Abbeyfield New Zealand, has changed the landscape for retired living options.

About the Award

Ryman Healthcare is delighted to continue to support the Senior New Zealander of the Year award.

This award gives all New Zealanders the opportunity to express their appreciation and admiration for the achievements of our senior New Zealander who are not sitting back on any laurels they may have earned earlier in life.

Thousands of older Kiwis never retire and continue to make a massive contribution to their communities and New Zealand as a whole. This award is an excellent way of recognising how much they give back.

To be eligible, nominees must be aged over 70 years and continue to make a positive contribution in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 2021 winner was Dr Doug Wilson, a physician, academic, writer, and consultant to Ryman Healthcare. Dr Wilson built an international career as a medical academic, and has now published eleven much-loved children’s books, and one for adults.

An official Awards Gala Presentation Dinner will be held on 31 March 2022 in Auckland where nominees, semi-finalists and finalists will be formally recognised.

About Ryman Healthcare:

Ryman was founded in 1984 and has become one of New Zealand’s largest listed companies. The company owns and operates 45 retirement villages in New Zealand and Australia which are home to more than 13,900 residents and the company employs 6,800 team members.

Media advisory: For further information, photos, interviews or comment please contact Group Corporate Affairs Manager Silke Marsh on +64 27 294 3609 or Communications Advisor Maryvonne Gray on 027 552 0767.

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