The NEXT Woman of the Year awards were annual awards in New Zealand, conferred by NEXT magazine (published by Are Media), to "celebrate the outstanding achievements of New Zealand women". The awards, generally announced in October, were first held in 2010, and had five categories, Health & Science, Arts & Culture, Sports, Business and Community. By 2019, two further categories had been added: Education, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. From these category winners, a supreme winner, the NEXT Woman of the Year, was selected. When Bauer Media exited magazine publishing in New Zealand in 2020, Next magazine ceased publishing, and the Woman of the Year awards have not been made since.
2019 awards
2019 winners were announced at an event held at the Cordis Hotel in October 2019.
Supreme Winner: Diana Sarfati, public health physician and cancer epidemiologist
Health & Science: Diana Sarfati
Business & innovation: Helen Robinson, former managing director of Microsoft NZ, and co-founder of feminine hygiene brand Oi (Organic Initiative) Arts & Culture: Samantha Scott, founder of Maidment Youth Theatre, now the Massive Theatre Company Education: Dianne Daniels, founder of company Digital Wings Sport: Neelusha Jennings , founder of charity "Limitless with Support", which links able-bodied and disabled people. Community: Zhiyan Basharati, leader of CVOC (Christchurch Victims' Organising Committee) Lifetime Achievement Awards: The Topp Twins, iconic entertainers
2018 awards
2018 awards were announced on 11 October. The judges included NEXT editor Rachael Russell.
Supreme Winner: Philippa Howden-Chapman, "for her long-standing crusade for healthy, warm and dry homes in New Zealand". Health & Science: Philippa Howden-Chapman Lifetime Achievement Award: Diane Foreman, entrepreneur and chief executive of The Emerald Group, "for her work in paving the way for women in business" Arts & Culture: Renee Liang, multi-disciplinary artist, community arts activist and part-time paediatrician Education: Rachel Williamson, for establishing the Summer Learning Journey programme to help students at low-decile schools Sport: Sarah Leberman, sports researcher and co-founder of Women in Sports Aotearoa Business & Innovation: Sharndre Kushor, co-founder of university admissions consulting company Crimson Education Community: Merenia Donne, founder of Kotuku Foundation Assistance Animals Aotearoa
2017 awards
2017 awards were announced on 11 October.
Supreme Winner: Kristine Bartlett, advocate for women in the aged-care sector
Arts & Culture: Carla Van Zon, arts director
Business & innovation: Ranjna Patel, co-founder and director of Nirvana Health Group and Gandhi Nivas Health & Science: Melanie Cheung, neurobiologist fighting degenerative brain disease Sport: Heather Te Au-Skipworth, creator of the Iron Māori event, the world's only indigenous half IronMan Education: Dame Wendy Pye, creator of a publishing empire Lifetime achievement award: Theresa Gattung
2016 winners
The 2016 winners were announced on 14 October 2016. The judges were Sarah Henry, NEXT Editorial Director, Louise Upston, Minister for Women, CEO of Xero Rod Drury, and television presenter Toni Street.
Supreme Winner: Billie Jordan – founder of The Hip Op-eration Crew, which is officially recognised as the world’s oldest dance crew Arts & Culture: Billie Jordan Business & innovation: Victoria Ransom, Wildfire Interactive Health & Science: Merryn Gott, nursing academic Sport: Trina Tamati, Tournament CEO of the Auckland NRL Nines Education: Anne Gaze, founder of tutoring programme Campus Link Community: Dale Nirvani Pfeifer, creator of GoodWorld, a company that enables instant charitable donations via social media
2015 awards
The 2015 awards were announced on 9 October. The judges were Minister for Women Louise Upston, Geoff Ross, Chairman of Trilogy International and CEO of Moa Brewing Company, and NEXT editor Sarah Henry.
Supreme Winne: Claudia Batten, entrepreneur
Business & Innovation: Claudia Batten
Arts & Culture: Fiona Samuel, screenwriter and director
Community: Ruth Money, advocate for victims and survivors
Health & Science: Catherine Mohr, engineer and vice-president of strategy, Intuitive Surgery Sport: Marcia Petley, Masters athlete Education: Frances Valintine, founder of The Mind Lab by Unitec
2014 awards
The 2014 awards were announced on 10 October. Besides NEXT Magazine editor Sarah Henry, the judging panel was made up of previous winners of the awards, Julie Chapman, Julie Bartlett, Lesley Elliott and Emma Parry.