2011 Recipients

Wellingtonion of the Year Winner

Father Des Britten

Des Britten retired as Wellington City Missioner after 18 years of extending a helping hand and providing sustenance, both physical and spiritual, to those in need.

Arts Winner

Suzie Moncrieff

Suzie Moncrieff has taken a great idea to an even greater cultural phenomenon. The Brancott Estate World of Wearable Art Awards has been wowing the socks off Wellingtonians and visitors since 2005 - 50,000 of them in 2011.

Business Winner

Sir Graeme Harrison

Graeme Harrison built a billion dollar business - Anzco Foods - from nothing in 1984. Today Anzco employs 3,000 people, has assets of over $500 million and revenue of $1.2 billion.

Community Service Winner

Father Des Britten

Des Britten retired as Wellington City Missioner after 18 years of extending a helping hand and providing sustenance, both physical and spiritual, to those in need.

Education Winner

Prue Kelly

Prue Kelly retired from her job as principal of Wellington High School, after 17 years. Her compassionate, no-nonsense approach to education and young people has won her many admirers and as many awards.

Environment Winner

Lisa Argilla

Lisa Argilla is the Manager of Veterinary Science at Wellington Zoo. She’s a keen advocate for the Zoo’s animals and is probably best known for nursing Happy Feet back to health (and then pushing him into the ocean).

Government Winner

Jim Stuart-Black

Jim Stuart-Black is the New Zealand Fire Service’s National Manager for Special Operations, who ran the search and rescue operations in Christchurch after the quake. And if need be, he’s ready and able to do it all again, anywhere.

Science & Technology Winner

Graham Le Gros

Graham Le Gros, Director of the Malaghan Institute, is a leading researcher in the field of immunology. He’s spent more than 25 years investigating the nitty gritty of asthma, allergies and parasitic diseases.

Sport Winner

Conrad Smith

Conrad Smith is a Wellington lawyer currently doing a great job at centre for the All Blacks, not to mention the Hurricanes and the Wellington Lions.

Youth Winner

Henare Mihaere

Henare Mihaere is Musical Director of the St Patrick’s College Chorus, doing well at the International Youth Chorus Contest in Las Vegas and is National Youth Coordinator for the New Zealand Association of Barbershop Singers.