Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas - UK NZer Of The Year

Media Release – February 7, 2004

Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas wins the New Zealander of the Year in the UK

Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, the first woman to be elected Provost of Kings College, Cambridge, was named New Zealander of the Year in the UK at the annual Waitangi Day dinner in London tonight.

The award, which recognises the outstanding contribution that a New Zealand or British national has made in presenting a positive image of New Zealand in the UK, was given to Dame Judith in recognition of her achievements in Britain as a high profile New Zealand woman with strong connections to her homeland.

She was presented the award by the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward at the Dorchester Hotel.

Until recently Dame Judith was chair of the policy and resource committee of the Corporation of London. Dame Judith, a lawyer, was the city and business adviser to the Mayor of London. She sits on a number of boards, including the Royal Opera House and The Natural History Museum.

Sponsor of the Award Mike Corless of Downunder Insurance said Dame Judith was an extremely worthy winner for this year’s New Zealander of the Year award.

``Her skills, talent and energy are an apt reflection of the purpose of this prestigious award,” he said.

Recognition was also given to the other two New Zealand finalists, Brit Award nominee Daniel Bedingfield and Len Cook, New Zealand’s former chief statistician and now the UK’s national statistician and registrar general for England and Wales.

A special Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented to distinguished chemist and fellow to the Royal Society, Robin Clark FRS.

Past winners have included Commonwealth secretary general Don McKinnon, rowing coach Harry Mahon, chef Peter Gordon, show jumper Mark Todd and golfer Michael Campbell.

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