New Zealander of the Year Awards Office says no evidence was presented or found during the 2026 judging process, after investigation into misconduct allegations against NZer of Year Sir Rod Drury. Photo / George Novak
New Zealander of the Year Awards Office says no evidence was presented or found during the 2026 judging process, after investigation into misconduct allegations against NZer of Year Sir Rod Drury. Photo / George Novak
The New Zealander of the Year Awards Office is standing by its judging process for the top honour saying there was “no evidence presented or found by the Awards Office to cause concern” about Sir Rod Drury’s nomination.
And the office confirmed it had been in contact with thetech entrepreneur since allegations made by a former junior employee of inappropriate behaviour.
Naylor has since refreshed her claims after seeing Drury win the country’s top community award last month.
Former Xero chief executive and New Zealander of the Year Sir Rod Drury is at the centre of an investigation into misconduct allegations. Photo / Mike Scott
The New Zealander of the Year Awards Office told the Herald representatives had been in touch with the businessman since learning of the allegations.
“We have contacted Sir Rod Drury to acknowledge the reporting. Our responsibility is to ensure due process and fairness to all parties.”
The office said no evidence or cause for concern came to light during the awards judging process.
“The New Zealander of the Year Awards exist to recognise outstanding service, leadership and contribution to Aotearoa, and awardees are decided through an independent judging process, based on the information available at the time.
“This includes multiple rounds of judging, police vetting, public scrutiny of finalists, and signed disclosures from nominees regarding matters that could bring the awards into disrepute.
“No evidence was presented or found by the awards office to cause concern about his nomination during the 2026 judging process. We will consider any relevant information should it be formally raised with the awards office.”
Former Xero employee Ally Naylor alleges Drury acted inappropriately towards her while he was CEO. Photo / Rafaella Melo
Meanwhile a Xero spokesperson told the Herald King’s Counsel Maria Dew had been appointed to look into the allegations.
“We treat all allegations seriously. Given the matters raised relate to historical events and confidential matters, we are limited in what we can say.
“Xero’s board and leadership are committed to fully understanding and evaluating the events and Xero’s response with expert assistance.”
Naylor claimed Drury invited her to his apartment, across the road from the Xero building, on multiple occasions in the context of work-related meetings.
She told Stuff he allegedly behaved inappropriately towards her, the first time being after a dinner event.
“As he was walking me to the door he kind of like stopped the door and was like, ‘I just really want to kiss you’, and I was like um sorry no ... this is just like a lot for my head.”
Stuff reported Naylor first raised concerns in a conversation with her boss in 2016, who suggested she speak to the company’s HR.
But she decided against taking formal action at the time, as she was a solo mother and feared for her career progression.
Then in 2017 on her last day of employment, Naylor wrote a formal complaint to Xero saying “it’s hard to put into words how this has impacted me emotionally”.
“There’s a range of emotions from shame, confusion, fear, to anger and hopelessness. Hopelessness because of the power imbalance between the CEO and me.”
The awards office told the Herald Drury’s “entrepreneurship and wider philanthropy” in the technology sector landed him the New Zealander of the Year title.
In the office’s review and rescission processes online, it states the office may request a review panel to deal with any information that “adversely affects the reputation, integrity and/or value of the awards”.
Awards can be rescinded and all records associated with the individual would be removed from all public awards channels.
Dew and Drury have both been approached for comment.
