Whanganui's Kotuku Foundation founder Merenia Donne named in Woman of the Year awards

Kotuku Foundation founder Merenia Donne has been named as a recipient of a Woman of the Year award by Next Magazine. Photo/Supplied

Whanganui's Merenia Donne has been named as one of six Women of the Year by NEXT Magazine.

Donne was presented with the community award for her work as founder of Kotuku Foundation Assistance Animals Aotearoa, a charity that connects those with often unseen impairments with specially trained assistance dogs.

The 2018 NEXT Woman of the Year Awards, in association with Elizabeth Arden were presented at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland.

The six winners were honoured for their work in "making New Zealand and the world a better place."

Sharndre Kushor co-founder of Crimson Education, which started with $40 and a Facebook account, and now has 24 offices around the world received the business and innovation award.

Dr Rachel Williamson was presented with the education award for her work in establishing the Summer Learning Journey programme and Professor Sarah Leberman received the sports award as founder of Women in Sports Aotearoa and as an advocate for women and gender equality in sport.

Artist and paediatrician Dr Renee Liang was presented with the arts and culture award for her community work as an advocate for diversity in the arts and Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman was named the supreme winner, for her long-standing crusade for healthy, warm and dry homes in New Zealand.

Entrepreneur and chief executive of The Emerald Group, Diane Foreman was, named as the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledged for her work in paving the way for women in business.

The judges for the awards were The Project presenter Kanoa Lloyd, Global Women CEO Miranda Burdon and NEXT editor Rachael Russell.

Donne established the Kotuku Foundation in 2006 and dogs have been trained to assist their owners with conditions that may include diabetes, cardiac and neurological conditions, anaphylaxis, narcolepsy and post-traumatic stress injury.