It was a spectacular night for New Zealand women at the NEXT Woman of the Year Awards, in association with Pandora.
Six winners were honoured for the varied and individual contributions they have made both at home and abroad, breaking new ground and lifting up communities in need.
The standout finalist, who was been crowned Woman of the Year 2016, is Billie Jordan – founder of The Hip Op-eration Crew, which is officially recognised as the world’s oldest dance crew. Billie’s inspirational story has swept the globe and helped challenge the stereotypes about growing older.
“Every year, we are inspired and humbled by the outstanding achievements made by the women across New Zealand,” says NEXT editorial director Sarah Henry.
“For a lot of the finalists, NEXT Woman of the Year is the first time they have been in the spotlight and acknowledged for their extraordinary work. The opportunity to give these women the recognition they deserve is a highlight for us every year.”
To read more about the winners, click here.
The stunning Orange Hall in Newton, Auckland was the location for 2016 Woman of the Year awards.
The NEXT magazine team.
Bauer Media’s Tanya Walshe and Paul Dykzeul.
Arts & Culture and Supreme Award winner, Billie Jordan.
Billie Jordan.
Sport category winner and NRL Nines General Manager Trina Tamati.
Health & Sciences category winner Merryn Gott, Professor of Health Sciences.
Education category winner Anne Gaze, Founder and CEO of Campus Link.
NEXT November cover star Angela Bloomfield.
Toni Street, Minister for Women Louise Upston, Sarah Henry and Rachael Russell.
NEXT editor Rachael Russell and NEXT Woman of the Year 2016, Billie Jordan.
Hip Op-eration Crew member Leila Gilchrist, NEXT Supreme winner Billie Jordan and Toni Street.
Our finalists: Top row, L-R: Marianne Elliott, Rachael D’Aguiar, Kayla Whitelock, Nicolette Connors, Lisa Taouma, Kendall Flutey, Annabel Anderson and Chloe Wright.
Middle row, L-R: Rachel Lang, Aly Cook, Hanifa Koya, Lorraine Mentz, Ann Dunphy.
Front row: Julie Woods, Anne Gaze, Merryn Gott, Billie Jordan, Trina Tamati and Claire Reilly.
Rachael Russell, Billie Jordan, Leila Gilchrist and Sarah Henry.
Black Sticks captain and Sport category finalist Kayla Whitelock.
Education category finalist and Banqer CEO Kendall Flutey and guest.
Community category finalist and ActionStation National Director Marianne Elliott.
Education category finalist and co-founder of Wright Family Foundation Chloe Wright, with Wayne Wright.
Jan Pfeifer and Megan Handyside, guests of Community category winner Dale Nirvani Pfeifer.
Former NEXT Woman of the Year Supreme winners Dr Emma Parry, Julie Bartlett, and guest.
(From L to R): Jaimee Kivell, Vanessa Williams, Ash Lawson, Eloise Stabo, Hannah McDonald, Holly Shaw, Emma Bolser , Ella Kinney.
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