A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network, This is Kiwi celebrates extraordinary achievements by ordinary New Zealanders. Host Jane Yee spoke to six New Zealanders who have made their mark.

In This is Kiwi we explored the remarkable stories of incredible New Zealanders – uncovering their motivations, the influences that shaped their mindset and the concept of knowledge for better. 

In case you missed it, here’s a recap of the six episodes, and some words of wisdom from the inspirational New Zealanders we spoke to.

Dave Letele: Motivator, athlete, 2022 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year

A successful sporting career in both professional boxing and rugby league made Dave Letele’s nickname, “the Brown Buttabean” well-known around Aotearoa, but it’s outside the boxing ring and off the field where he has found his true calling. 

He set up the BBM (Buttabean Motivation) foundation for those who want to reclaim their health and future with free fitness classes, mentoring and nutritional guidance. He advocates tirelessly for rangatahi, empowering them to break free from the cycle of disadvantage and embrace a future filled with opportunity. “Keep working, you’ll get there and when you do get there, never forget where you were. It’s always good to come back and help others, and trust me when I say you’ll always be blessed in return.”

Simran Kaur: Financial security advocate, founder of Girls That Invest

The founder and director of Girls that Invest, a financial columnist, best selling author, TEDx speaker and financial literacy advocate, Simran Kaur has a lot on her plate. With a focus on empowering women and minorities to own their financial futures, Kshe inspires thousands through her online presence.

Facing each day as a new opportunity to grow her business and to empower others, Kaur is showcasing the potential for young New Zealanders to not only gain financial literacy, but to strive for greatness. “Never underestimate how much you can learn, and never underestimate what you can understand… I don’t know if this is naivety, but I don’t believe there’s anything in the world that I can’t wrap my head around.”

Rangi Mātāmua: Māori astronomy expert, 2023 Kiwibank New Zealander of the year

Mātāmua holds the esteemed position of professor of mātauranga Maori at Massey University, but many of us may know him for his work in advocating for the Matariki public holiday, a groundbreaking achievement when it was announced in 2021, and first celebrated in 2022.

Mātāmua is passionate about sharing knowledge, and while his understanding of Matariki is unparalleled, his knowledge extends far beyond, for example, living by the māramataka, and food sovereignty. “I’ve always thought that humility and wisdom are often interchangeable. There’s so much wisdom in humility, and so much humility in people who have wisdom… My time is fleeting, I’m in and out, but Matariki and its values is what I really hope people take away from anything that I’m involved in, and what carries on for generations throughout our nation.”

Ellen Joan Nelson: Academic, military veteran, 2023 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year 

Passionate about improving working conditions for parents, Dr Ellen Joan Nelson advocates for flexible hours and embracing the vibrant nature that children bring to our lives. Her mission is to ensure parents are not penalised in the workforce simply because they have children.

And that’s not all – her work to help 500 Afghan refugees evacuate Kabul when the Taliban took power in 2021 was a driving force behind her claiming the Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year award in 2023. “[The pandemic has shown us] that we can do things differently, that people can work from home, that we can work in different constructs, that being present at the office is not what actually equates with adding value to the organisation… I think there’s a real place here for everyone to stand up for themselves and think ‘this is what I’m worth, this is my value, this is how I can contribute’.”

Robbie van Dam: Innovator, co-founder of pest control company Goodnature

Every year an estimated 25 million native birds in New Zealand are killed by introduced predators, and Robbie van Dam’s product is helping to reduce that number. After he and a friend saw the inefficiency of existing traps, they created a new model that delivers a swift and humane end to invasive species.

In 2008, Goodnature became a full-time gig for van Dam and since then, his remarkable accomplishments have left an indelible mark on the pest control and New Zealand innovation landscape. “I think businesses are a remarkable mechanism for doing good. And I do think people are prepared to put their money into biodiversity or enhancement or those businesses making the world a bit better.”

Kiri Nathan: Māori fashion designer and entrepreneur

Kiri Nathan is an internationally acclaimed fashion designer whose work is deeply rooted in te ao Māori with a focus on natural fibres and texture. This year she will become the first Māori designer to open New Zealand Fashion Week and she recently worked as one of the designers of the new Kiwibank Wardrobe.

Nathan is passionate about sharing her wisdom and experience to empower emerging Māori designers. She recently established Te Ahuru Mōwai, a creative safe haven for young Indigenous designers in Glen Innes and Tamaki Makaurau.

“Every single step taken in [my] journey was necessary, every hardship was necessary, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing right now. I’m grateful for all of the failures and all of the challenges because… those are the biggest drivers.”