Xero founder Sir Rod Drury was awarded Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa. Having graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, he was recognised by Vic in 2011 with a Distinguished Alumni Award. He is a pioneering entrepreneur who continues to shape Aotearoa New Zealand's technology landscape through innovation, investment, and mentorship.
Shit You Should Care About (SYSCA) Instagram channel founder Lucy Blakiston was named Go Media Young New Zealand of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau. She started the channel with her friends while studying for her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Media Studies. Originally from Marlborough, Lucy’s work empowers rangatahi to engage with current issues in an accessible, informed, and empathetic way.
Software Engineering alumnus Mike Casey (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa) has been awarded New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau for his pioneering use of electric farm machines on the world’s first all-electric orchard, Electric Cherries. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Rewiring Aotearoa, where he works with a team of experts to make electrification practical, affordable, and exciting for New Zealanders.
We're enormously proud to see our alumni continue to make big changes to the world around us.