Professor Bev Lawton has been named the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.
The awards honour the achievements and contributions of inspirational Kiwis who have made positive contributions to the country.
Lawton (Ngāti Porou) is recognised as a “pioneering force” in women’s health in New Zealand and is the founder of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine (National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa).
Along with driving critical advancements in screening for cervical cancer, maternal health, and indigenous health equity, Lawton also led the charge through her advocacy for New Zealand’s historic shift to HPV self-testing as the primary method for cervical screening.
Her efforts made New Zealand the first high-income country to adopt the self-screening method.
In a statement, a spokesperson from the event said Lawton is a champion for “many communities”, by building strong relationships, ensuring research is relevant and innovative, with her all her work grounded in community engagement.
“Her ability to disseminate important information about women’s health more broadly ensures the profile of women’s health in Aotearoa is elevated, and she regularly contributes expert commentary to media, providing evidence, ideas, and opportunities for system transformation.
“Her research-informed policies and alliances continue to shape healthcare systems, tackle inequities and reduce preventable harm for wāhine Māori and all women across the motu.”
The other finalists for this year’s award were world champion kayaker Dame Lisa Carrington, who is New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian of all time, and star rugby player Sarah Hirini.
Other winners
University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o Te Tau 2025
Winner: Namulau‘ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)
Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o Te Tau 2025
Elizabeth Ellis CNZM JP (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)
Spark New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o Te Tau 2025
Winner: Emma Lewisham (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)
Genesis New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau 2025
Winner: Deborah Manning ONZM (Otago Ōtākou)
Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau 2025
Winner: Subash Chandar K (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)
Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau 2025
Winner: Lake Alice Survivors and Citizens Commission on Human Rights New Zealand (Across Aotearoa)
The Fisher Funds New Zealand Legacy Award Te Pou Tūroa 2025
Winner: Sir Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara)
Previous New Zealander of the Year winners
2010: Pharmaceutical scientist and inventor Sir Ray Avery
2011: Physicist Sir Paul Callaghan
2012: Wētā Workshop founder Sir Richard Taylor
2013: Anthropologist Dame Mary Salmond
2014: Public health advocate Lance O’Sullivan
2015: The Warehouse Group founder Sir Stephen Tindall
2016: All Black Richie McCaw
2017: Director and actor Taika Waititi
2018: Aged care worker Kristine Bartlett
2019: Mental health advocate Mike King
2020: Director and actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand
2021: Microbiologist Siouxie Wiles
2022: Academic Sir Stephen “Tipene” O’Regan
2023: Māori astronomy expert Rangi Mātāmua
2024: Climate scientist Jim Salinger