World-leading Kiwis celebrated

Two of New Zealand’s most recognisable exports, Sir Peter Jackson and Lady Fran Walsh, were named Supreme Award winners at the 2017 Kea World Class New Zealand (WCNZ) Gala Dinner. 

The sell-out, black tie affair saw the film industry powerhouses celebrated (in absentia) for their significant contribution to New Zealand, helping to establish it on the map not only as a bucket-list destination for tourists, but for filmmakers from around the globe. 

This year marks the first time the top honour has been won by joint recipients. 

Kea NZ CEO, Craig Donaldson says Jackson and Walsh epitomise the spirit of the Awards – which recognise world-leading Kiwis whose achievements are helping to define New Zealand’s reputation on the world stage. 

“Fran and Peter are two of New Zealand’s biggest household names, both locally and around the globe. They’re quiet achievers, who, despite having achieved phenomenal success within their industry, remain two of the most charmingly humble people you could ever hope to meet.

“Their work has continually showcased our beautiful country to the world – serving not only to drive our reputation as a top tourist destination, but also as a location of choice for the film industry,” Donaldson concludes. 

The Award is yet another in a long list of honours for the duo – whose record-breaking Lord of the Rings trilogy alone received 475 accolades from across the film industry. 

Each received a Kea WCNZ Tall Poppy statuette, designed by friend and colleague, Weta-workshop co-founder (and 2009 Supreme Award winner) Sir Richard Taylor.

In addition to the Supreme Awards winners, the ceremony celebrated the first ever female recipient of the Kea Friend of New Zealand title – awarded to Lady Pippa Blake for her extensive, ongoing contribution to New Zealand via her work with the Sir Peter Blake Trust. 

Also recognised were six World Class New Zealanders, including award-winning choreographer Parris Goebel; businessman Sir Rob Fenwick; scientist and entrepreneur Dr Privahini Bradoo; leading scientist Dr Phil Rolston; founder of Wrightspeed Inc. Ian Wright; and chef Robert Oliver. 

Judging panel Chair, and Kea Global Chairman, Phil Veal, says, “As is the case every year, the Awards are a showcase of the very best talent New Zealand has to offer. Each of our winners were subject to a rigorous judging process, which assesses them against five core criteria. 

“A big focus for us is looking at how they’ve contributed to New Zealand’s global reputation, building global connections for New Zealand, as well as how they’ve promoted the exchange of information, knowledge and skills about our country,” Phil concludes. 

The Kea WCNZ Award winners:

Sir Peter Jackson:
•    Director, screenwriter and producer for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Hobbit trilogy.
•    Three Academy Awards, including Best Director for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2003. 
•    Made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, 2002.
•    Knighted as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, 2010.
•    Awarded a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, 2014.

Lady Fran Walsh
•    Screenwriter for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Hobbit trilogy.
•    Seven-time Academy Award nominee, three-time winner for Best Picture, Best Writing, and Best Music for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
•    Five-time BAFTA nominee, and two-time winner for Best Film and Best Screenplay – adapted for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
•    Became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, 2002

Lady Pippa Blake
•    Founded the Sir Peter Blake Trust in 2004.
•    Patron to the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education Centre, the Devonport Yachting Club, and the Blue Climate and Oceans Project. 
•    Published author: Journey (2011) & Parenting by the Stars (2014 – contributor).

Dr. Privahini Bradoo
•    Winner of the Fulbright Platinum Entrepreneurship Fellow scholarship. 
•    World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. 
•    Distinguished Young Alumni Award from the University of Auckland. 
•    Co-founder and CEO, Blueoak. 

Parris Goebel
•    Founder of ReQuest and Royal Family dance crews, Gold at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013, and Silver 2011 & 2015. 
•    Female Choreographer of the Year, World of Dance Awards, 2014 & 2016. 
•    Young Leader Award, New Zealand Women of Influence Awards, 2015.
•    Young New Zealander of the Year, Coca Cola Amatil New Zealander of the Year, 2014.
•    Co-founder of Sisters United. 

Dr. Phil Rolston
•    42 years with DSIR Grasslands / AgResearch in forages and forage seed research. 
•    China’s highest award to foreigners, a Friendship Medal, 1996. 
•    The NZ Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture Technology Transfer Award, 2005. 
•    Researcher of the Year by the Foundation for Arable Research, 2008. 
•    China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, 2015. 

Ian Wright
•    Co-founded Tesla Motors in 2003. 
•    Created the fastest street-legal electric car in the world – the X1.
•    Bronze Power Generation Award, Edison Awards, 2015. 
•    Silicon Valley Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum Award, 2015. 
•    Technology Pioneer, World Economic Forum, June 2016. 

Robert Oliver
•    Chef Ambassador of Le Cordon Bleu, New Zealand / the Pacific Islands. 
•    Co-hosts Marae Kai Masters, a Maori cuisine show. 
•    Best Cookbook in the World, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, Paris, 2010 Me’a Kai: The Food and Flavours of the South Pacific
•    Best TV Chef Cookbook in the World, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, Beijing, 2013 for Mea’ai Samoa: Recipes and Stories from the Heart of Polynesia.

Sir Rob Fenwick
•    Founding Director, Living Earth Ltd, 1993 – Present. 
•    Advisory Board Members, Westpac New Zealand Limited, 2013 – Present. 
•    Special Advisor to the Director General, Department of Conservation, 2010 – Present. 
•    Sustainability Advisory Group Panel Members, Air New Zealand, 2008 – Present. 
•    Chairman, Antarctica New Zealand, 2007 – Present. 
•    Deputy Chairman, TVNZ, 2004 – 2010. 
•    Inducted into NZ Business Hall of Fame, 2016. 
•    Knighted Justice of Order of St John, 2006. 
•    Knighted for services to business and the environment, 2016.