NZ Food Network CEO Wins Top Leadership Award For Community Impact

NZ Food Network CEO, Gavin Findlay, wins at the New Zealand Leadership Awards for meaningful impact on local communities

Gavin Findlay, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN), has taken home the Anthony Harper Community Leadership Award at the 2025 New Zealand Leadership Awards.

Awarded at its Gala on Thursday evening, the Community Leadership Award recognises those who make a meaningful impact on local communities and are dedicated to social responsibility, community engagement and making a positive difference.

Now in its second year, the New Zealand Leadership Awards celebrates leaders across different sectors who have not only navigated change but have used it to inspire progress.

Findlay was named the winner of the Community Leadership Award for growing NZFN exponentially over the past 5 years, pioneering a food distribution model that’s driving impactful change for people and the environment.

The other category finalists were Richard Adams, Founder and National Director of Taskforce Kiwi and Dr Alexander Stevens II, the CEO of StandingTallNZ.org and Senior Māori Lecturer at AUT.

Reflecting on the award, Findlay says, "I’m incredibly honoured to have won, especially in the company of two other incredible leaders.

“I share this award with the wider NZFN team I have the privilege of working alongside. Their collective mahi across our nationwide network is what makes everything possible. It’s a reminder that, together, we can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. A big thank you to the New Zealand Leadership Awards for this recognition."

Since stepping in as the first and only CEO of NZFN in 2020, Findlay has led the charity’s growth and established it as an essential part of the country’s food support ecosystem.

As Aotearoa’s national food rescue and largest food support charity, NZFN has partnered with over 200 food businesses and 65 nationwide Food Hubs to distribute more than 36 million kilograms of food to those experiencing food insecurity. Its Food Hubs have provided the equivalent of 82 million meals to Kiwis in need, while avoiding over 58 million kilograms of CO2 equivalent emissions from entering the atmosphere.

Over this time, Gavin and the NZFN team have expanded its partnerships with government agencies, food businesses, charities, and donors, enabling the organisation to continue to respond to the demand for food support.

“Seeing the difference our work makes in communities across Aotearoa is what drives me every day. It’s why we keep striving to meet the growing demand for food support, encouraging businesses to donate surplus or gifted food, and inviting individuals to give what they can,” adds Findlay.

Today, NZFN continues to provide essential nutrition to hundreds of thousands of Kiwis every month, redistributing surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.

About New Zealand Food Network

New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) is Aotearoa’s national food rescue and largest food support charity.

With distribution centres in Auckland and Christchurch, it accepts bulk surplus and donated food from food producers, growers and manufacturers and redistributes to more than 60 food hubs (regional food rescues, iwi, food banks and other charities) so that they may feed the communities they serve. Via these food hubs, NZFN ultimately serves a network of more than 2,000 frontline organisations across the country. NZFN’s services reduce GHG emissions from landfill and ensure a positive social impact by getting food to where it’s needed most.

NZFN’s operations are primarily funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to help address the issue of food insecurity nationwide. In addition to distributing donated food, NZFN purchases low-cost pantry staples and other household essentials with funds raised to help keep its Food Hubs well stocked. It also serves as procurement partner for registered Food Hubs to purchase food and can be activated in the event of an emergency to procure goods for MSD and government providers.

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