Dai Henwood
Veteran comedian and television personality Dai Henwood has been honoured for his influential role in shaping New Zealand comedy over the past 25 years, as well as his significant efforts in charitable fundraising and advocacy.
Henwood’s television career began with Pulp Comedy and soared after winning the Billy T Award in 2002 and The Fred Award in 2007. A seven-time winner of Best Male Comedian at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards, he became a household name through TV3’s long-running panel show 7 Days, as well as hosting Dancing with the Stars and the lockdown-era Dai’s House Party.
Alongside his on-screen success, Henwood has mentored emerging comedians and supported countless charities. Following his own experience with bowel cancer, he became a passionate advocate for men’s health. His fundraising efforts include hosting The Comedy Treatment, which raised over $250,000 for the Cancer Society, and co-leading Radio Hauraki’s ‘Day in Loo’ campaign.
Anna Cottrell
Documentary producer, oral historian and journalist Anna Cottrell has been recognised for a lifetime of work capturing New Zealand’s diverse stories and advocating for migrant and refugee communities.
Cottrell’s career spans decades, from reporting for TVNZ News and Close Up in the 1970s and ’80s to producing major television series such as Immigrant Nation and co-founding the Migrating Kitchen Trust, which ran cultural exhibitions and events across 16 years.
Her oral history work has documented the lives of war veterans, women in media, political figures and refugees. As co-director of Getting to Our Place, she helped chronicle the creation of Te Papa. She has produced acclaimed miniseries such as Great War Stories, Voices of Children (on post-quake Christchurch), and The Wahine Disaster.
Cottrell’s accolades include a Qantas Media Award, an ITO Silver Scroll Award, and a Pacific Conservation and Development Award. She has also served on boards including Women in Film and Television and Wellington College, and chaired the Wellington Activity Centre Management Committee.
Suzy Cato
Beloved broadcaster Suzy Cato has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for more than 35 years of dedication to children’s programming, music, and educational outreach.
Cato rose to national fame in the early 1990s as the warm and engaging host of You and Me, followed by Suzy’s World and other family-friendly shows including Bryan & Bobby, a collaboration with New Zealand Police. Her work has consistently promoted literacy, mental health, and the wellbeing of tamariki and whānau.
Beyond television, she is an accomplished author and songwriter, with several children’s books and albums to her name. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cato created online content to help families stay connected and continue learning. She is also a tireless advocate and volunteer, working with organisations such as the New Zealand Book Council, Storylines, MENZA, SPCA, and Pink Shirt Day.
As founding Chair of the Kiwi Kids Music Trust, she has played a central role in nurturing New Zealand’s children’s music sector, including organising the annual Children’s Music Awards.
