Ransom briefly back in NZ

Victoria Ransom

There's nothing like a toddler to help a multimillionaire keep her feet on the ground.

"It's my quickest trip ever to New Zealand but I have a 10-month-old that I have left at home for the first time," senior Google executive Victoria Ransom told the Herald.

Ransom, originally from Scott's Ferry near Bulls, received a Kea World Class New Zealand Award at a ceremony at the Viaduct Event Centre last night.

The awards recognise talented Kiwis and friends of New Zealand who are achieving amazing things here and around the globe.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark took the supreme award.

Kea chief executive Craig Donaldson labelled her a "remarkable and inspiring Kiwi" who was making her mark on the global stage while maintaining close links to home.

Ransom and husband Alain Chuard sold their social media tool Wildfire to Google in 2012 for $350 million.

She grew up on a farm in a small village near Bulls, in the Rangitikei.

"If you had of told me any of this 15 years ago I would have just laughed, so it's been an amazing journey - but yeah, I guess each step of the way I was open to taking risks and taking on new opportunities."

Ransom said she was "truly humbled" to receive by receiving her award and said it was good to see sectors outside of sport receiving recognition.