Dan’s the man for Kiwi blokes

Press Release 15 Feb 2010

Dan’s the man for Kiwi blokes

New Zealand’s pin-up rugby legend, Dan Cater, has sprinted past other sporting heroes, the Prime Minister, movie gods and television presenters to take the coveted Man of the Year title in 2010 M2 Magazine Best Awards.

A world-class rugby-player, successful fashion model, businessman, promotional whiz kid and all-around role model – Dan Carter is now officially the man Kiwi men admire most.

Dan Carter is an extremely popular choice for Man of the Year, says Andre Rowell, editor of the popular men’s lifestyle magazine.

“There is, quite simply, just so much to like about Dan Carter,” says Rowell. “Not only does he possess incredible sporting talent, he’s also softly-spoken, humble and an exceptionally hard worker.

“His business achievements are as impressive as his sporting achievements – it’s easy to see why New Zealand men consider him someone to really look up to.”

Carter beat out fellow All Black Richie McCaw, Prime Minister John Key, film-maker Peter Jackson and television presenter Paul Henry for the top spot, deposing last year’s winner Scott Dixon.

But while Kiwi men continue to rate sporting prowess when choosing their Man of the Year, they value brains, beauty and skill in front of the camera when choosing their Woman of the Year.

Television 3 reporter and former Nightline presenter Samantha Hayes is the woman they most admire, ahead of international music success Ladyhawke, television presenters Pippa Wetzell (the 2009 Woman of the Year), Alison Mau and comedian and actress Jacqui Brown.

“Samantha Hayes is one of the few women in New Zealand who can cause a furore simply by changing her hair colour,” said Rowell. “But she is more than an attractive and a stylish woman – she also has brains and can hold her own as a reporter on complex and weighty issues such as the environment.

“A pattern is emerging in the winners and top nominees of the Woman of the Year award – Kiwi men obviously value the full package of beauty and brains.”

Readers were given a totally free vote in each category – they were not asked to choose from a predetermined shortlist. The voting took place from October to December.

The M2 Magazine Best Awards are a unique insight into the hearts and minds of urban New Zealand men, says Rowell. “These awards show just what our readership of 25- to 49-year-old Kiwi men value.

“The fact that they are not guided in their nominations means the results are a genuine indicator of what is important to them.”

In the Best Television Show category, Outrageous Fortune has come out on top for “seemingly the umpteenth time running”, says Rowell. “We’ve considered renaming this category ‘Best Runner-up to Outrageous Fortune’.”

The Best Car has changed marques from Aston Martin to BMW, which won men’s hearts with the BMW M6. Rowell says this is probably a result of the anticipated release of a new M6, coupled with the fact that the BMW M6 “is such an understated supercar”.

One of New Zealand’s most popular variety, Saint Clair Pioneer Block 18 Sauvignon Blanc, is the Kiwi men’s favourite white wine, while the award for Best Red Wine goes to The Ned Pinot Noir.

Steinlager Pure is still Kiwi men’s favourite beer, while Absolut Vodka is their top spirit.

Avatar, the blockbuster movie featuring New Zealand-generated special effects, is their Best Movie, while TV One takes over from TV3 as Best News Source.

The winners of all the awards are featured in the March issue of M2 magazine, which is available at all good bookstores, newsagents, supermarkets and online at M2magazine.co.nz from today February 15.

M2 Magazine Best Awards 2010

The M2 Man of the Year
Dan Carter

The M2 Woman of the Year
Samantha Hayes

Best Album
Holy Smoke – Gin Wigmore

Best News Source
TVOne

Best Movie
Avatar

Best Restaurant
Meredith’s

Best TV Show
Outrageous Fortune

Best Spirit
Absolut Vodka

Best Beer
Steinlager Pure

Best Red Wine
The Ned Pinot Noir

Best White Wine
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 18 Savignon Blanc

Best Car
BMW M6

Best Men’s Fragrance
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio

Clothing Brand
Diesel

Clothing Store
Barkers

-ENDS-

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