Pictured above: Patrick Moynahan, CEO of Echo Tech.
As New Zealand businesses and communities continue to navigate economic uncertainty and workplace transformation, the call for strong, purposeful leadership has never been more urgent. This week, 34 individuals have been named as finalists in the 2025 New Zealand Leadership Awards, recognising those who are not just weathering the storm, but leading their organisations through it.
Presented by recruitment consultancy Robert Walters, the awards are now in their second year and have grown significantly in both scope and recognition. A record 338 nominations were received across ten categories, spanning SME leadership, innovation, sustainability, community impact, and inclusion.
“This year’s nominations reflect a new calibre of leadership responding to today’s challenges,” says Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters Australia & New Zealand.
“These are tough times for businesses, workers, and communities. But the finalists we’re recognising today are the ones who are standing up, innovating, and leading with real purpose. They’re not just keeping things afloat, they’re charting the path forward for New Zealand.”
Peters praises the diversity and strength of the finalist pool, which ranges from tech entrepreneurs and public sector executives to grassroots community leaders and indigenous change-makers.
“The breadth of sectors represented among the finalists is phenomenal — from public service and education through to tech innovation. Many of these leaders are not only making an impact locally but are also being recognised on the global stage,” he says.
“It really highlights why these awards are so important, to celebrate leadership in all its forms, right across our diverse professional landscape.”
A 33-person judging panel including Dame Patsy Reddy, Dr Mai Chen, Sir Michael Jones, and James Fuller reviewed the nominations and selected the finalists. Peters acknowledges the challenge they faced in narrowing down such an impressive field.
Levi Fawcett was named overall winner at inaugural New Zealand Leadership Awards in 2024.
Notable finalists include:
- Wyndi Tagi (WE Mana) and Catherine Jones (Creative HQ) in the Taxi SME Business Leadership category.
- Luke Campbell (VXT) and Bindi Norwell (ProCare) for Hnry Innovation Leadership.
- Sarah Page (Kindness Collective) and Phillipa Gimmillaro (Hind Management) in the SkyCity ED&I Leadership category.
- Dan Te Whenua Walker (Microsoft) and Carl Olsen (Sharesies) for NZ Super Fund Māori Leadership.
- Patrick Moynahan (Echo Tech) appears in two categories: Steinlager Entrepreneur Leadership and Fonterra Sustainability Business.
The awards also spotlight emerging leaders, with the Blackpearl Emerging Leader category featuring individuals such as Arihia Hoani-Waaka (Iarau), Dr Mitchell Anderson (Urban Intelligence), and Renee Stuart (MOXX Brands).
Winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala event on 4 September 2025 at The Dome, Auckland War Memorial Museum.
For the full list of finalists and more information, click here.
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