NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR 2012 

  

 

Sir Richard Taylor

Sir Richard Taylor of Wellington is an extraordinary New Zealander. He has set a shining example by being a global player in the international movie industry, but decidedly choosing to base himself in New Zealand. His company Weta, is a huge success, employing well over 1000 people and with annual revenues in the 100s of millions per annum. But most importantly, Richard is a passionate and articulate New Zealander, committed to this country, and committed to showing New Zealanders that we can do it here.

Let me quote "Why shouldn't it be us? We stay here firmly in Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand, first because we are New Zealanders and this is our home and I don't believe I would work in this sector, in this field, if I had to work somewhere else. This is where I want to work and you couldn't hope to work anywhere more fulfilling".

Richard is an intensely decent man. He is committed to his family. Despite his enormous list of Hollywood successes and multiple Oscars, the work he is most proud of is the TV series "Jane and the Dragon", whose message is "girls can do anything". He is humble and unassuming and yet passionate and articulate. He has a strong vision for New Zealand as a place of talent where we develop and earn from our own intellectual property.

For more about Richard read Sir Paul Callaghan’s (2011 New Zealander of the Year) interview with him in his book "Wool to Weta". The man is a legend who shows us all how it can be done while remaining true to our Kiwi values.

 

New Zealander of the Year 2011 - Sir Paul Callaghan

Professor Sir Paul Callaghan of Wellington, is one of New Zealand’s most high profile and respected scientists. He has shown outstanding leadership for over 30 years as a scientist, a teacher, a science administrator and communicator.  

Sir Paul is a world leading scientist in the fields of nanotechnology* and magnetic resonance. His work has put him and New Zealand on the international stage and his mantelpiece features an array of honours for his endeavours, including a Knighthood for services to science and NZ’s highest scientific honour, the Rutherford Medal.
 
As a proponent of bringing science to the people of New Zealand Sir Paul has

left no stone unturned to achieve this. He has appeared in radio, print, television, guest lecturers and other personal appearances simply trying to put forth science in a way that everyone can relate to. Of particular note is Sir Paul’s contribution to Te Reo Physics, a website that introduces the concepts of physics in Maori to secondary school students.
 
Sir Paul is passionate advocate for addressing and finding ways to reverse the overseas ‘brain drain’. In his view, widening New Zealand’s economic growth engines can be achieved by using science and technology to create industry that is ‘world class and home grown’.  
 
In recent years, he has been at the forefront of connecting science and business. His 2009 book Wool to Weta challenges traditional economic thinking and advocates for the potential of science and technology entrepreneurship to diversify our economic success. He puts forward his vision of a future New Zealand where the use of science, technology and intellectual property can provide economic prosperity for the entire country and free New Zealand from simply being a producer of biological commodities.
 
Sir Paul believes that if we are to attain economic diversification through these avenues New Zealand can reverse the brain drain and make our country the place young people choose to build their careers and raise their families while preserving our natural environment and enriching our communities and culture.  

Despite battling an aggressive cancer Sir Paul is still as committed as ever to his passion for science and his vision for New Zealand to literally become “the most beautiful, stimulating and exciting place to live and work in the world.”

* Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. It may be able to create many new materials and devices with a vast range of applications, such as in medicine, electronics, biomaterials and energy production.
 

New Zealander of the Year 2010 - Sir Ray Avery

Ray Avery is a New Zealander whose invention of low cost intraocular lenses will mean 30 million cataract blind people in the developing world will have regained the gift of sight by 2020.

This scientist, inventor and social entrepreneur from Mount Eden in Auckland established Medicine Mondiale as an independent development agency and charity in 2003. It creates low cost sustainable solutions that combat global poverty and health issues for the most vulnerable and neglected societies. Ray is a great believer in long term self sustainability in all work done with developing countries and his philosophy is to give the people the tools and solutions to get on with their own lives.

The Ray Avery designed laboratories in Eritrea and Nepal provide 13% of the world market for intraocular lenses which use technology invented and gifted by Ray resulting in an affordable solution for the poorest of the poor.

Some of Ray’s inventions include the Acuset IV Flow controller helping with the safe administration of potent IV drugs, the Liferaft Incubator which uses innovative technology to reduce mortality of premature babies associated with bacterial infections and a nutritional product from waste by-products of meat and kiwifruit industries to assist children suffering from diarrheal diseases. He is also in the process of setting up a modern cancer hospital for the poor in Kathmandu.

After spending his childhood in English orphanages and foster homes, Ray developed his interest in science at the age of 14 while living it rough in London and finding warmth in public libraries. He now mentors young people, speaking regularly at schools and universities. He is a great believer in the talents, entrepreneurial skills and the generosity of New Zealanders and using their skills to make the world a more egalitarian place. Medicine Mondiale works with a huge number of New Zealand professionals who give their time to support Ray's single minded determination.

Before devoting himself entirely to finding solutions for the world’s most vulnerable, Ray spent 30 years in the New Zealand pharmaceutical industry. A founding member of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Auckland, he was later Technical Director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, where he not only reduced the cost of medicines but also developed a vibrant NZ drug export industry. Ray is Chair of the World Class New Zealand Steering Committee and a board member of KEA (Kiwi Expat Association).
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