Harlem-Cruz Ihaia is among the three Hawke's Bay finalists in the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. Photo / New Zealander of the Year Awards
Harlem-Cruz Ihaia is among the three Hawke's Bay finalists in the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. Photo / New Zealander of the Year Awards
Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay, Harlem-Cruz Ihaia, and Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod have been named finalists in the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa.
The awards, which span seven different categories, are among the country’s most prestigious honours, recognising New Zealanders who have madea significant contribution to leadership, service, innovation and community impact.
Finalists are selected from thousands of public nominations and assessed by an independent judging panel.
Among them is former Miss Universe New Zealand Harlem-Cruz Ihaia, finalist for the Go Media Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o Te Tau category.
At 27, Harlem-Cruz Ihaia has become a national voice for whānau empowerment and community transformation.
A mother of five, she is the founder of Pūrotu Limited, which delivers support ranging from crisis assistance to personal development and employment pathways.
Her work has supported more than 1000 families, bridging gaps across generations.
Ihaia said being named a finalist feels “humbling” and is a reflection of everyone behind her mahi.
“I’m super proud to be acknowledged for the work I do … I never do it to be recognised. It’s just something that comes naturally to me,” she told Hawke’s Bay Today.
“I can’t do what I do without the village and the people that help me do this. So, this recognition also acknowledges everybody in the background that supports the mahi that I do within our community.”
She said the drive to help others comes from her own whakapapa.
“My great-great-grandmother helped the community when the World War was going on, then my great-grandmother helped establish the kōhanga reo movement ... I’m just carrying on a legacy that was made for me.”
Ihaia is now leading in te kōhanga reo, dedicated to revitalising te reo Māori for future generations.
“My dream is that whānau can drop their kids at the kōhanga and if they’re needing any personal or professional development, they can just carry on to the next building down the road,” she said.
“The main goal was to create an intergenerational wealth for my community.”
Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod, a Māori language advocate and cultural strategist, has been named a finalist for the Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau.
“There are so many people doing meaningful work across Aotearoa every day, and to be mentioned alongside them is a real honour,” MacLeod said.
“I’ve already won because it means the Māori language has won.”
He said the biggest challenge for te reo Māori in Hawke’s Bay is holding on to the progress communities have made.
“We’ve come so far here in Hawke’s Bay with our openness and our appreciation of the Māori language and culture, and I would hate to see that go backwards because of any messaging that’s coming out of Wellington,” MacLeod said.
Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod says any honour is really a win for te reo Māori. Photo / New Zealander of the Year Awards
Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay, a finalist for Mitre 10 Community of the Year, says the recognition belongs not only to the organisation but to the entire region.
CEO Santiago de Marco said being named one of three finalists nationwide was “very special” for the community Hōhepa serves.
“It’s recognition of the work everyone in the Hōhepa community does every day,” de Marco said.
“This nomination celebrates inclusion, but it also reminds us there’s still a long journey ahead.”
He hopes the recognition encourages continued progress towards a more inclusive Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand.
Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay’s nomination celebrates inclusion across the region. Photo / New Zealander of the Year Awards
Meanwhile, another finalist, Hamilton influencer and disability advocate Leighton Clarke, has been withdrawn from the Local Hero of the Year category after awards organisers deemed some of his social media content not consistent with the values that underpin the awards.
Clarke will still receive a Local Hero Medal for his contributions.
Te koruru (patron) of the awards Miriama Kamo said this year’s finalists exemplify leadership grounded in purpose and compassion.
“Across every category, we see service, innovation and kaitiakitanga in action: protecting people and the planet, strengthening communities, advancing equity, and shaping bold solutions for the future.”
Winners across all seven categories will be announced at a gala event in Auckland on March 19.
