Tim Brown recognised by World Class NZ Awards

New Zealand’s most prestigious celebration of individual achievement, the Kea World Class New Zealand Awards, has announced three of its 2019 award recipients.

The first of this year’s winners are Allbirds entrepreneur Tim Brown (pictured above), business leader Rachel Taulelei (pictured below), and scientist and entrepreneur Elizabeth Iorns, who are set to be recognised at an Award Gala dinner on Thursday 20^th June.

Kea’s three remaining 2019 WCNZ recipients will be revealed at the end of May, with the Supreme and Friend of New Zealand Awards announced at the Award ceremony at Auckland’s SKYCITY Convention Centre.

Kea Global CEO Craig Donaldson says the WCNZ Awards shine a light on top Kiwi talent who have achieved outstanding success in their chosen field, both at home and on the world stage.

“I’m delighted to announce the first of this year’s winners – each of whom have made a unique and unmistakably positive contribution, helping to enhance our country’s global reputation. The WCNZ Awards is a remarkable opportunity to help share inspiring stories from New Zealand’s most influential business leaders and entrepreneurs, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements.”

Tim Brown, co-founder and co-CEO of Allbirds, and former All Whites vice-captain, is being recognised for his commitment to sustainable fashion and innovative business practices, including creating a revolutionary category of footwear using natural materials such as New Zealand merino wool. 

Rachel Taulelei, CEO of innovative Maori-owned food and beverage producer Kono, is being acknowledged for her contribution to the sustainable food industry, and her ongoing work promoting Aotearoa as a world-class producer of food and beverages.

Finally, Dr Elizabeth Iorns, co-founder and CEO of Science Exchange, is being recognised for her outstanding contribution to improving the quality and efficiency of scientific research. By creating Science Exchange, a marketplace for scientific research, she has transformed scientific collaboration, enabling scientists to instantly access expertise and infrastructure from thousands of world-leading research facilities. As Director of the Reproducibility Initiative and co-lead of the Reproducibility Project Cancer Biology, she leveraged the Science Exchange platform to quickly and efficiently validate research findings.

Each World Class New Zealand Award winner will receive a Tall Poppy statuette, designed by Weta Workshop co-founder and 2009 Supreme Award winner Sir Richard Taylor.

Established in 2003, the WCNZ Awards provide a platform that recognise inspirational, world Kiwis and friends who are making outstanding contributions to New Zealand’s international reputation. Tickets to the award ceremony can be purchased here.