Previous Distinguished Alumni Award Winners
2019 Awardees

Wayne Smith CNZM
All Blacks rugby player and coach
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) 1979
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Dr Andrew Smith
CEO Prolife Foods
Bachelor of Science 1987, Master of Science (First Class Honours) 1989
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Brian Sweeney
International business strategist and communications specialist
Bachelor of Arts 1980
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2018 Awardees

Dr Sarah Calvert
Registered Clinical Psychologist
Bachelor of Social Sciences 1974, Master of Social Sciences 1975, Doctor of Philosophy, 1982
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Professor Tom Higham
Professor of Archaeological Science, Deputy Director of the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit
Doctor of Philosophy 1993
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Dr Shane Legg
Co-founder and Chief Scientist Google DeepMind
Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (Second Class Honours, First Division) 1996
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2017 Awardees

Professor Fui Le'apai Tu'ua 'Īlaoa Asofou So’o
Vice-Chancellor and President of the National University of Samoa
Bachelor of Education, 1981; Bachelor of Arts, 1982; Master of Arts, 1988
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Deborah Challinor MNZM
Historian, writer
Bachelor of Arts, 1981; Master of Arts (Honours), 1994; Doctor of Philosophy, 1999
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2016 Awardees
No award ceremony was held this year
2015 Awardees

Peter Churchouse
Financial analyst, publisher and investor
Bachelor of Arts, 1970; Master of Social Sciences, 1971
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Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM
Managing Director, Raukatauri Productions Ltd, singer and songwriter, co-founder and trustee of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre
Bachelor of Arts, 1985
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Rob Waddell ONZM
Olympic rower and yachtsman
Bachelor of Management Studies (Honours), 1998
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2014 Awardees

Jamie Fitzgerald
Management consultant, adventurer and motivational speaker
Bachelor of Communication Studies, 2005
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Le Mamea Taulapapa Sefulu Ioane QSO
Author; Inaugural Director, Pacific Island Education Resource Centre
Bachelor of Arts, 1974 and Master of Arts, 1976
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Parekawhia McLean
Director, Businessperson, CEO
Bachelor of Social Sciences, 1986 and Master of Social Sciences, 1992
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2013 Awardees

Professor Marston Conder
Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, University of Auckland
Bachelor of Social Sciences, 1976 and Master of Social Sciences, 1978
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Judge Stephanie Milroy
Maori Land Court Judge and former Deputy Chair, Waitangi Tribunal
Master of Laws, 1997
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Edmund Wee
Managing and Creative Director, Epigram (Design) and Publisher and CEO, Epigram Books
Bachelor of Social Sciences, 1974 and Master of Social Sciences, 1976
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2012 Awardees

Murray Sherwin CNZM
Chairman, New Zealand Productivity Commission
Bachelor of Social Sciences, 1974 and Master of Social Sciences, 1976
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2011 Awardees

Paul Bowker
Owner, Hotel on Devonport, H & H Construction Ltd
Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies, 2007 and Master of Business Administration, 2008
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John Erkkila
Entrepreneur, Founder and Executive Director, New Zealand Home Loans
Bachelor of Sciences, 1985
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Lt Col Dr Christopher Pugsley ONZ, FRHistS
Military historian and Former Senior Lecturer War Studies, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Doctor of Philosophy, 1992
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2010 Awardees

Sam Knowles
Board Director, Synlait; Kiwibank Founding Chief Executive
Bachelor of Sciences, 1975
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2009 Awardees
2008 Awardees

HE Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO
High Commissioner of New Zealand to the United Kingdom
Master of Arts, 1996
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