Next Woman of Year nominations open

Next Magazine is advertising for nominations for its third annual Woman of the Year awards.

Prizes will be awarded in six categories:

Arts and Culture: This award celebrates a woman who challenges boundaries and is a creative inspiration to others. She will have distinctive flair and originality. Working in arts or culture, her unique vision will have driven her to achieve a project that has touched the hearts and minds of New Zealanders.

Business and Innovation: This award acknowledges a great commercial and creative thinker. This woman has an entrepreneurial spirit and the confidence to challenge boundaries and conventional ideas balanced by a sense of professional responsibility. Via strategic thinking and leadership, she will have grown a business or developed a product or idea to achieve economic success. She will have created opportunity by both thinking outside the square and playing to her own strengths.

Community: Our society is founded on community-minded individuals who give of themselves to make a difference. This award celebrates one such woman who has contributed to a caring project in an outstanding way by championing a cause and addressing a social need. She will be a woman who has selflessly used her energy to empower others to reach their full potential.

Education: This award celebrates a woman who has made significant contributions to the learning and betterment of others. She will be a creative innovator who is ground breaking in her approach and committed to following her vision of helping people achieve and exceed their full potential.

Health and Science: This is an award for a great innovator in the area of health or science. She will be making ground breaking steps in an arena she is passionate about. She will have used her intellect and vision to discover or implement a new development that benefits the human race.

And Sport: This award pays tribute to a successful coach, sportswoman or administrator who has reached a notable physical goal or milestone. She will have been an inspiration for others along the way, showing mental conviction, physical strength and determination to excel in her chosen field. She will have displayed consistent sportsmanship and have a competitive spirit.

Women who excel in any of these areas are indeed worthy of recognition and they will be inspirational role models.

Last year’s winners were:

Arts and Culture: Jill Marshall, author and publisher
Business: Mai Chen, lawyer
Health and Science: Sue Johnson, Christchurch coroner
Sport: Jayne Parsons, Paralympian
Community: Lesley Elliott, founder of the Sophie Elliott Foundation who was also winner of overall Woman of the Year title.