Queen of Crime and best-selling novelist

The first female prime-time newsreader in the Commonwealth

Trailblazing activist, entertainer and early champion of LGBTQ rights

Grammy-nominated jazz singer who performed with Frank Sinatra

New Zealand's highest-selling solo artist

Directed New Zealand's highest-grossing film at the international box office

The first person to perform the national anthem in te reo at an international test match

Oscar-nominated film producer

New Zealand's most prolific author and champion of children's literacy

New Zealand's first supermodel and a champion of natural beauty

Pioneering fashion designer

Award-winning author and creator of national icon Hairy Maclary

Youngest winner of the Man Booker Prize

One of New Zealand's most successful filmmakers

World-renowned opera singer and the first Kiwi to win a Grammy Award

New Zealand's first female professional photographer

Trailblazing musicians, entertainers and activists

Pioneering fashion designer and entrepreneur

First New Zealander awarded the Royal Court Theatre international residency

Pioneering fashion designer

World hip hop dance champion and world-renowned choreographer

Award-winning author

Pioneering author

First female solo artist to record a number one single on the official NZ Music Chart

New Zealand's first female Oscar winner

Pioneering artist who took New Zealand art to the world

The first woman to win the prestigious Palme D'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival