Across seven categories including New Zealander of the Year, Kiwibank has narrowed the field to some 21 finalists, with the final winners to be announced March 19.

Hawke’s Bay boasts three of the finalists, not counting HB ex-pat Sir Rod Drury (now ensconced in Queenstown), who is nominated for New Zealander of the Year.

The three finalists with warm bodies still in Hawke’s Bay are:

Harlem-Cruz Ihaia – Young New Zealander of the Year finalist

Harlem-Cruz Ihaia is a 27-year-old wāhine Māori leader, mother of five (including two whāngai she welcomed at age 20), and founder of one of Aotearoa’s most comprehensive Māori-led whānau empowerment ecosystems. At just 18 years old, Harlem was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand, a milestone that ignited her passion for service, advocacy, and community transformation.

Through her organisation Pūrotu Limited, Harlem has created programmes that support every stage of the whānau journey, babies, tamariki, rangatahi, adults, generating intergenerational impact across communities, hapū, and iwi. Her flagship kaupapa Hine Pūrotu, Āhuru Mōwai, and Making Moves have supported over 1,000 whānau with hauora, crisis support, personal development, and work-readiness pathways. Harlem has dedicated 2,000+ voluntary hours to this mahi, demonstrating deep commitment to uplifting Māori futures. In 2025, Pūrotu Limited was named Social Enterprise of the Year at the Māori Women’s Development Inc (MWDI) Awards.

She is now leading the establishment of Te Kōhanga Reo o Reremoana Ruruhira, a kōhanga reo dedicated to revitalising te reo Māori for future generations. As a proud member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, Harlem contributes to hauora and wellbeing initiatives for Māori women and whānau. Grounded in whakapapa, resilience, and vision, Harlem-Cruz Ihaia is reshaping what community transformation looks like in Aotearoa.

Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod – Local Hero of the Year finalist

Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod is a distinguished Māori leader, reo revitalisation strategist, and grassroots visionary who has dedicated his life to strengthening identity, belonging, and cultural integrity across Aotearoa. Born to Māori parents and raised in Australia, Jeremy’s journey back to Aotearoa in 2004 to reclaim his language and identity has inspired many. His leadership, founded on cultural fluency and integrity, spans across marae, iwi, and national platforms, including his transformational role as Director of Reo, Tikanga & Mātauranga for Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated from 2010–2023.

Today, Jeremy serves as a Commissioner on Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, advises iwi and government through his consultancy Kauwaka, and mentors rangatahi and whānau through kaupapa such as Te Pōkaitara and kōhanga reo. His vision for revitalisation is long-term and whakapapa-driven – restoring dialect, tikanga, and cultural vitality for generations to come. Respected across iwi and communities, Jeremy exemplifies leadership born of service, integrity, and a commitment to building a future where te reo Māori and Māori culture flourish.

Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay – NZ Community of the Year finalist

For almost seventy years, Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay has stood as a place where people with intellectual disabilities and their families across Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke’s Bay walk alongside one another in dignity, purpose, and belonging. Since 1956, Hōhepa has helped reshape what support can look like in Aotearoa, moving from institutional care toward a life-giving model rooted in relationship, community, and the belief that every person carries their own wairua, gifts, and potential. Hōhepa offers lifelong support, from tamariki to rangatahi discovering their strengths, through to adults building skills and meaningful work, and elders living with rhythm, comfort, and connection.

Today, Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay is a vibrant hub of creativity and enterprise, where care, sustainability, and opportunity come together for good. Its biodynamic farms, cheesemaking, and social enterprises provide meaningful employment for nearly 200 people, while contributing to the region’s economy and environment. With more than 650 dedicated staff and volunteers, Hōhepa Hawkes Bay empowers people of all abilities to live with dignity, independence, and a deep sense of connection. Their motto is ‘every life fully lived’.