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The New Zealand Society New Zealanders of the Year 2026
The New Zealand Society bestowed four prestigious awards on four remarkable expat New Zealanders at the Waitangi Day Gala Ball on February 7 in London.
PRIDE OF NEW ZEALAND AWARD: Mr Chris Wood
NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Dr Jade Leung
YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Dr Finn Ross and Ms Meg Lay
We celebrate the success of expatriate New Zealanders in the United Kingdom – the leaders, the innovators, the changemakers.



About Us

Using soft power diplomacy to celebrate, support and promote New Zealand in the United Kingdom since 1927 through trade, sport, art and culture.

The New Zealand Society is a non-profit organisation established in 1927 that celebrates and promotes New Zealand brands and businesses in the United Kingdom, supports the expat New Zealand community, and welcomes all those who have an interest in Aotearoa.

Our charitable Impact Fund financially supports New Zealanders who are making an impact in the United Kingdom.

We are currently undergoing a period of transformation with a new website, newsletter and branding under development, and an updated membership scheme.

As we head to our centenary in 2027, we will be refreshing our heritage brand, growing our members’ online forum, redeveloping all our digital assets and content, and rolling out a number of initiatives, events and programmes for our members and broad community.

Patron: His Majesty King Charles III
Vice Patron: His Excellency Hamish Cooper, NZ High Commissioner to the UK
President: Ms Rachel Glucina

Contact: president@nzsociety.co.uk

Become a member of The New Zealand Society for £40 a year and enjoy all the benefits.

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NZ'ERS OF THE YEAR 2026

CHRIS WOOD
PRIDE OF NEW ZEALAND

As the record-breaking captain of the New Zealand national team and a prolific Nottingham Forest striker, this highly respected Premier League veteran is the most expensive Oceania player of all time and has solidified a global legacy as a world-class goalscorer and leader.

JADE LEUNG
NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR
Serving as the UK Prime Minister’s Adviser on AI and Chief Technology Officer for the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, this University of Auckland engineering alumna is a world-leading expert in AI governance and security whose career spans influential leadership roles at OpenAI and the University of Oxford.

MEG LAY
YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR
A former Christchurch crop farmer and current groundswoman at Lord’s, this trailblazing advocate for inclusivity has set historic firsts by leading all-female grounds teams at iconic venues like Edgbaston and Twickenham to prepare surfaces for world-class sporting events.

FINN ROSS
YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR
A climate scientist, entrepreneur, and Oxford University Visiting Fellow, this PhD graduate and Ocean Balance co-founder accelerates innovative carbon removal research and seaweed-based climate solutions while championing regenerative agriculture and international climate action on the world stage.

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The New Zealand Society

A non-profit organisation that uses soft power diplomacy to champion and celebrate New Zealand in the United Kingdom through trade, sport, art, and culture since 1927.

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The New Zealand Society is a private company limited by guarantee and registered in England under company number 05654421.

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