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The Tindall family and The Tindall Foundation staff  and Trustees were incredibly proud to be at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards gala to see our co-founder, Stephen Tindall, receive the award for New Zealander of the Year 2015.

It was thrilling to see Stephen recognised for his dedication to New Zealand communities through this Foundation which he and Margaret set up 20 years ago to support community-based initiatives, environmental projects, social enterprise and families and social services.

Stephen was presented with the award by the Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and a kaitaka huaki cloak by last year’s winner Dr Lance O’Sullivan. The cloak, named Pouhine, will be presented to the winner each year.

Stephen said he felt humbled to receive the award, “I really feel that I received this recognition award on behalf of the tens of thousands of wonderful people we have worked with through The Tindall Foundation over the past 20 years. This, to me, acknowledges all the volunteers and staff in organisations providing much-needed services in our communities.”

He was a finalist alongside two other inspiring Kiwis – Julie Chapman, the Founder and CEO of KidsCan Charitable Trust and Sir John Kirwan who has led the way in raising awareness about depression in New Zealand.

A huge congratulations also goes to Guy Ryan, Founder and CEO of Inspiring Stories Trust, who won the Young New Zealander of the Year Award for his work in supporting and encouraging young people in Aotearoa.

Ryan launched Inspiring Stories in 2011 with a vision to see every young New Zealander unleash their potential to change the world. Nearly 5,000 have taken part in the Trust’s programmes, which include Festival for the Future and Live the Dream.

The Tindall Foundation is pleased to have supported the work of Inspiring Stories Trust with a donation of $70,000 in the past year.

We are also delighted that Pathway Charitable Group, another organisation we support, was a semi-finalist in Community of the Year Category. Pathway Charitable Group is an innovative and progressive charitable organisation that brings together social and business objectives, providing jobs to unskilled people and those who needed employment support.

Stephen has also supported Rocket Lab and winner of the Innovator of the Year Awards, Peter Beck, through his investment company K1W1.

Listen to Mark Sainsbury’s interview with Stephen Tindal on Radio Live.