Mandii Pope Art
nz society
uk new zealander of the year portraits
and silent auction donations
Over the last few years, I have painted the winner of the UK New Zealander of the Year. These portraits are a donation to commemorate and immortalise the hard work the winner has contributed to the NZ and UK Community.
The New Zealand Society UK
Founded in 1927, the New Zealand Society UK is a non-profit, voluntary society that aims to connect and support New Zealanders in the United Kingdom (and those in the UK who have an interest in New Zealand) through social gatherings, events and financial support for Kiwi businesses and cultural groups.
The initial aims of the Society were to celebrate what it meant to be a New Zealander in England, and to promote trade between the two countries. These days that means that we host a varied calendar of events each year in recognition of important dates for our NZ community within the UK. For example, in February we hold the annual black tie Waitangi Day Charity Ball and a commemorative Waitangi Day church service at St Lawrence Jewry, with a reception hosted by the Worshipful Company of Girdlers afterwards.
At the Charity Ball, together with Air New Zealand, we award one person as the Air New Zealand UK New Zealander of the Year, for recognition of outstanding contributions towards promoting the interests of New Zealand or New Zealanders in the UK.
At most of our events throughout the year we run we fundraise for the NZ Society UK Charitable Fund, from which we then award grants to individuals and organisations who seek to strengthen, broaden and deepen the communities and relationships between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
We are always delighted to hear from potential new members, Committee Members, Loyal Kiwi Card partners and event attendees - info@nzsociety.co.uk
Patron HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT,OM, GBE, AC, QSO, PC
Vice Patron HE The High Commissioner, the Rt Hon Lt Gen Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO, KStJ
President The Hon Clarence Tan
2022 (Feb) NZ Society Waitangi Day Charity Dinner – New Zealander of the Year, (corey baker)
sheraton grand ballroom park lane, London, United Kingdom
The New Zealand Society UK
Congratulations to winner Corey Baker.
At the Charity Ball, together with Air New Zealand, we award one person as the Air New Zealand UK New Zealander of the Year, for recognition of outstanding contributions towards promoting the interests of New Zealand or New Zealanders in the UK.
At most of our events throughout the year we run we fundraise for the NZ Society UK Charitable Fund, from which we then award grants to individuals and organisations who seek to strengthen, broaden and deepen the communities and relationships between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Patron HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT,OM, GBE, AC, QSO, PC
Vice Patron HE The High Commissioner, the Rt Hon Lt Gen Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO, KStJ
President The Hon Clarence Tan
Friday 4th February 2022
Sheraton Grand Ballroom Park Lane London on Piccadilly
2020 (Feb) NZ Society Waitangi Day Charity Dinner – New Zealander of the Year, (tania bearsley)
The Waldorf Hilton, Aldwych, London, United Kingdom
Waitangi Day Charity Ball
Friday 7th February 2020
18.30 until late
Waldorf Hilton in Aldwych.
The 93rd Waitangi Day Charity Ball will be held on Friday 7th February 2020.
An evening of incredible significance for New Zealand and the New Zealand community in the UK. Through this event we raise money and are able to support our New Zealand community here in the UK through our Charitable Grant scheme.
This year I donated an 80cm Paua Tiki Spin Painting towards the silent Auction, and will be painting a portrait for the winner of the UK New Zealander of the Year, Tania Bearsley.
Tania Bearsley and Jarred Christmas were both named finalists for the UK New Zealander of the year for their actions.
Business woman Tania Bearsley and comedian Jarred Christmas were both finalists at a glitz and glamour event for the prestigous UK New Zealander of the Year award.
When the terror attacks shattered the peace in Christchurch almost a year ago there was an outpouring of solidarity on the other side of the world.
After the attack, Porirua-born Tania Bearsley organised a vigil in Trafalgar square.
Thousands attended, as the world's media showcased Kiwi spirit at its best.
“So what does it mean to me? it's been a beautiful journey but it wasn’t me alone - I may have led the charge, someone had to, but I was supported by so many people to make that happen,” she told 1 NEWS.
Christchurch comedian Jarred Christmas staged a comedy event in London, raising money for the victims and families.
“I've got a very limited skill set, I’m hopeless at DIY, I’m hopeless at admin but what I can do is make people laugh and I have lot of friends who can do that,” he says.
Of the 11 nominations, the judging panel agreed Ms Bearsley and Mr Christmas were picked for their personal and invaluable contribution in the UK for promoting the interests of New Zealand and New Zealanders.
Ms Bearsley won the award and said it was an honour to be a Kiwi.
“It's a huge honour and lays down to me a challenge to keep going and keep serving my nation,” she said.
I am delighted and extremely proud in the 180th year of the Treaty of Waitangi to announce the winner of the prestigious UK New Zealander of the Year Award 2020, presented by the New Zealand Society of the United Kingdom and proudly sponsored for the 15th consecutive year by Air New Zealand.
The New Zealand Society established this Award in 1999 to recognise and honour those New Zealanders or British nationals who have gone above and beyond their daily or professional lives to make a difference in presenting the most positive image of New Zealand within the U.K. It symbolises the continuation of the close relationship between the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
In partnership with the sponsors of this award, Air New Zealand, we are absolutely delighted to announce that, at the Waitangi Day Charity Ball on 7th February 2020, the Air New Zealand UK New Zealander of the Year Award 2020 was awarded to Mrs Tania Bearsley.
Tania was supported on the evening by her husband Anton and dozens of friends who attended the Waitangi Day Ball to support Tania.
The korowai (ceremonial cloak) awarded to our winner for the Air New Zealand UK New Zealander of the Year Award by the Rt Hon. Sir Jerry Mateparae, High Commissioner for NZ to the UK, was designed and woven especially for the award ceremony by Whaea Jackie Naylor from Kakahu Waipara.
Previous winners include: Ereti Mitchell 2019, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ CH DBE AC 2018, Lady Alexandra Smith 2017, Mark Wilson 2016, Katherine Corich 2015, Eric Tracey 2014, Bronwen Horton 2013, Kent Gardner 2012, Terry Smith 2011, Anna Hansen MBE 2010, Esther Kerr Jessop QSM 2009, Dr Ian Conrich 2008, Jonathan Rennie 2007, Tom & Susan Glynn 2006, Peter Leslie 2005, Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas 2004, The Rt. Hon Don McKinnon 2003, (The late) Harry Mahon OBE 2002, Michael Campbell CNZM 2001, Sir Mark Todd 2000 and Peter Gordon ONZM 1999.
Air New Zealand, General Manager UK & Europe, Joanna Copestake says: “Air New Zealand is passionate about showcasing the best of New Zealand on the world stage and is incredibly proud to sponsor the UK New Zealander of the Year award which formally recognises the impressive achievements of UK-based Kiwis.”
Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and is a public holiday in New Zealand.
The Annual New Zealand Society Waitangi Day Charity Ball is the biggest event on the NZ Society UK calendar, raising funds for the Society’s Charitable Grant Fund, which allows the Society to support New Zealanders from across the United Kingdom who are doing amazing things to strengthen ties between NZ and the UK.
The Prize Draw is to win two tickets to a New Zealand Society (UK) event of the nominator’s choice from March 2020 to November 2020 (inclusive).
The 2020 UK New Zealander of the Year Award is proudly sponsored for the 15th consecutive year by Air New Zealand.
As the New Zealand flag carrier, Air New Zealand flies daily between London and New Zealand.
I am sincerely proud of our two wonderful finalists and wish to acknowledge Jarred Christmas for all his incredible work as well as congratulate Tania Bearlsey for becoming the UK New Zealander of the Year 2020.
Ngā mih nui,
The Hon Clarence Tan
President, New Zealand Society (UK)
Photos by Peter Livingstone
2019 (Feb) NZ Society Waitangi Day Charity Dinner – New Zealander of the Year, (Eriti Mitchel)
The Waldorf Hilton, Aldwych, London, United Kingdom
FRIDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 2019 FROM 18:30 UTC-23:00 UTC
Waitangi Day Charity Ball 2019
The Waldorf Hilton London
We are looking forward to commemorating Waitangi Day for our community in here in the UK instead of at home at this very special event, and to presenting the Air New Zealand UK New Zealander of the Year 2019 Award, sharing a delicious, fresh, NZ-inspired and sourced menu, sampling some of our best and best-known wines, dancing the night away with wonderful NZ talent and raising contributions for our Charitable Fund, which we then use to support New Zealanders doing amazing things over here in the United Kingdom.
We have incredibly supportive group of sponsors who help us bring this event to life every year, including the NZ Wine Cellar who have worked with our wonderful local NZ wine distributors to provide us with loads of New Zealand bubbles, reds and whites for our celebration.
Photos by Peter Livingstone
2018 (Feb) NZ Society Waitangi Day Charity Dinner – New Zealander of the Year, (kiri te kanawa)
The Waldorf Hilton, Aldwych, London, United Kingdom
The winner of the prestigious award was announced at the New Zealand Society's Waitangi Day Charity Ball in London today.
Unfortunately Dame Kiri Te Kanawa wasn't able to attend the award ceremony due to being ill.
The New Zealand Society of the United Kingdom said they will hold another event later in the year to present the award to her.
The award recognises the efforts and contribution made by a New Zealand or British national in promoting the country's interest in the UK.
The President of the New Zealand Society (UK), Ms Kerryn Beeching said, "The New Zealand Society and our sponsor partner Air New Zealand are thrilled to confirm the presentation of this prestigious award to Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in recognition of her tireless work through the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation."
"The Foundation is both the guiding light and the solid foundation from which young New Zealand singers’ presence and brilliance on the international stage is championed.
"This year the Judging Panel were spoilt with a list of uncommonly-deserving nominees, all of whom happened to be women for the first time since the inception of the Award in 1999.
"Even from within this stellar group, Dame Kiri’s contribution to the valued bonds that tie the UK and NZ together is exceptional.
"Dame Kiri may have retired from public performance, but her influence, energy, expertise and passion is very much a current and driving force in both developing and shining a light on young NZ singing talent on the world stage, and for that we are delighted to recognise her with the UK New Zealander of the Year Award in 2018.”
The beloved New Zealand opera singer hasn't taken to the stage in more than a year, and in an interview with the BBC last September, said she wouldn't ever again. "I don't want to hear my voice," said the 73-year-old soprano. "It is in the past. When I'm teaching young singers and hearing beautiful young fresh voices, I don't want to put my voice next to theirs."
She said she would focus on training the next generation through her foundation.
Her final concert was near Melbourne last October. Dame Kiri has appeared at all the world’s major opera houses. She also sang at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981.