Keri Hulme (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe) was born on 9 March 1947 in Christchurch. The eldest of six children, her father John’s family came to Aotearoa New Zealand from Lancashire, England, and her mother Mary’s family was of Orkney Scots and Māori heritage. Although she didn’t grow up immersed in Māori culture, Keri was drawn to it, creating a Māori dictionary from a very early age, and adding to it over the decades.
Will it be a mighty seabird, a forest-dwelling songster, or perhaps one of our flightless friends? Aotearoa New Zealand’s favourite election is back, and the competition is fierce. Who will claim the coveted Bird of the Year title for 2024?
Peter Gordon (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s culinary greats. A highly acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and author, he is widely known for his innovative fusion cuisine that blends flavours from different cultures. He has transformed the way many of us think about flavour and food.
Richard Pearse was a New Zealand farmer, a renowned inventor, and a trailblazer among the world’s aviation pioneers. He is widely recognised as a leading candidate for the first person to have successfully flown a powered aircraft – although the precise timing of his achievement remains a topic of fierce debate. Richard Pearce’s legacy endures as a testament to his spirit of innovation and serves as an inspiration to all those who aspire to pursue their dreams.
Beatrice Tinsley (née Hill) was born in Chester, England, in 1941, the middle of three daughters born to Jean Morton and Edward Hill. She moved with her family to Christchurch in 1946, after the war. After four years in the South Island, the family moved to New Plymouth in 1950, where her father worked as a clergyman before being elected mayor of New Plymouth from 1953–1956. He subsequently served a term on the New Plymouth Borough Council from 1956–1959.
Jean Batten was a pioneering aviator who gained international recognition for her record-breaking long-distance flights during the early years of aviation. Her fearless determination and exceptional solo flying skills earned her a place among the most celebrated pilots of her time and saw her dubbed the ‘Greta Garbo of the skies’ – a reference to one of the era’s most popular and glamorous movie stars.
