The inaugural New Zealand Leadership Awards – Winners announced

The inaugural New Zealand Leadership Awards, hosted by Robert Walters and supported by New Zealand Rugby, brought together over 350 of Aotearoa’s top business and community leaders to honour outstanding contributions across the nation. With over 630 nominations reviewed by a distinguished judging panel—including four Knights, three Dames, and leaders like Sir Peter Beck of Rocket Lab and Dame Patsy Reddy—the awards celebrated leadership excellence in ten categories.

Held on 15 August, the black-tie gala was a night to remember. MC Antonia Prebble guided the event with warmth and charisma, setting the tone for an evening filled with inspiring speeches and a shared sense of purpose. The evening honoured and celebrated the achievements of the well-deserving finalists and winners, all inspiring and resilient individuals.

The awards shined a spotlight on those who have demonstrated outstanding vision, influence, and impact across various sectors. From trailblazing innovators to community champions, these awardees exemplify the strength and potential of leadership in Aotearoa, setting benchmarks for excellence and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand, praised the high caliber of entries and highlighted the awards’ purpose: “The incredible quality of the nominations we received this year underscores the pivotal role that leadership plays in New Zealand... Robert Walters launched the Leadership Awards to recognise and celebrate the central role great leadership plays in driving growth, celebrating innovation, increasing productivity and maintaining the health and wellbeing of our communities across our economy.”

Robert Walters extends congratulations to all finalists and winners, with a special mention to overall winner Levi Fawcett, CEO of Partly, whose entrepreneurial vision and resilience earned him the top accolade.

Levi’s entrepreneurial journey, from being told he would be unemployable to leading a company targeting a $1.6 trillion global opportunity in the automotive industry, impressed the judges. Under his leadership, Partly has achieved rapid growth, with a record-breaking Series A fundraise of $36 million, marking it as New Zealand's largest Series A to date.

The New Zealand Leadership Award 2024 category winners are:

SME Business Leadership Award – sponsored by Xero

Nicola Taylor – Co-Founder – Tax Traders & Taxi

Community Leadership Award – sponsored by Anthony Harper

Charlotte Gibson – Chairperson – Te Poho-O-Rawiri Marae

Innovation Leadership Award – sponsored by Hnry

John Rendall – Head of Technology and Innovation – Animation Research Limited

ED&I Leadership Award – sponsored by SkyCity

Sarah Archer – Head of Talent, Diversity & Inclusion – Chorus NZ

Entrepreneur Leadership Award - sponsored by Steinlarger

Levi Fawcett – CEO – Partly

Public Sector Leadership Award – sponsored by Meredith Connell

Joint Winners

Debbie Power – Chief Executive – Ministry of Social Development

Carolyn Tremain – Chief Executive – Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Māori Leadership Award – sponsored by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei

Donna Flavell – CEO – Waikato-Tainui

Pasifika Leadership Award – sponsored by TupuToa

Joint Winners

Paul Retimanu – Chairman – Pacific Business Trust

Nina Nawalowalo – Artistic Director – The Conch Charitable Trust

Sustainability Business Award – sponsored by Fonterra

John Berry – CEO – Pathfinder Asset Management

Large Business Leadership Award – sponsored by Air New Zealand

Paul Newfield, CEO - Morrison

Most Incredible Emerging Leader Award 

Ratu Mataira – Founder & CEO - OpenStar Technologies

Highly commended - Charlotte Gibson – Chairperson – Te Poho-O-Rawiri Marae

Most Incredible Leader Award

Levi Fawcett – CEO, Partly

Find out more about the awards winners.

A final congratulations to all the 2024 finalists and winners, you are what made this event so special.

Thanks again to our Sponsors and Partner New Zealand Rugby for supporting Robert Walters and the 2024 New Zealand Leadership Awards.