CELEBRATING PUBLIC HEALTH EXCELLENCE:
WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2025 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND AWARDS
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Public Health Awards, honouring outstanding leadership, advocacy, and action to advance health equity and wellbeing across Aotearoa New Zealand. This year’s recipients exemplify courage, compassion, and commitment to the public good - champions who have worked tirelessly to create a fairer, healthier future for all.
The Public Health Champion Award is presented to Guyon Espiner for his fearless and persistent investigative journalism that has shone a powerful light on the commercial determinants of health in Aotearoa. Through landmark work including the Smoke and Mirrors series and the documentary Proof, Guyon has exposed the influence of alcohol and tobacco industries on public health policy and challenged New Zealand’s drinking culture. His courage in sharing his own experiences has deepened public understanding and sparked national debate. Guyon’s work reflects the values at the heart of the Public Health Association—equity, social justice, and the public good—and exemplifies the courageous advocacy this award was created to honour.
The Tū Rangatira mō te Ora Award recognises Professor Lisa Te Morenga, a visionary leader who unites academic excellence with courageous advocacy and a steadfast commitment to kaupapa Māori. In 2025, Lisa stood as a powerful public voice in defence of Ka Ora, Ka Ako, the healthy school lunches programme—grounding her advocacy in evidence and a Māori worldview. Her leadership mobilised nationwide support for tamariki Māori, food security, and equitable education. As co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa, Lisa has championed Māori health and driven transformative change in nutrition, food systems, and public health policy. She embodies tino rangatiratanga, mana motuhake, and the spirit of Tū Rangatira mō te Ora—a leader dedicated to transforming systems to protect the wellbeing of Māori and all in Aotearoa, now and for generations to come.
The Asian and Ethnic Peoples Public Health Award is awarded to Asian Family Services for nearly 30 years of outstanding leadership and commitment to the health and wellbeing of Asian communities across Aotearoa. Through multilingual outreach, gambling harm prevention, and mental health advocacy, Asian Family Services has reached tens of thousands, reducing stigma, promoting wellbeing, and ensuring Asian voices are heard in public health policy. Their leadership in hosting the Asian Mental Health Summit and driving system-level reforms demonstrates both innovation and impact. Grounded in lived experience and guided by equity and inclusion, Asian Family Services exemplifies the essence of public health—cultural responsiveness, community empowerment, and collective wellbeing.
The Pacific Public Health Award is proudly presented to Dave Letele, whose leadership through Buttabean Motivation (BBM) embodies the principle that “strong aiga, strong community.” Dave’s kaupapa is practical equity in action—creating safe, empowering spaces for Pacific families to connect, move, and nourish their bodies and spirits. His work has helped thousands of Pasifika improve their health, manage long-term conditions, and build stronger communities. From grassroots to national advocacy, Dave leads with heart, humility, and hope. He exemplifies the spirit of the Pacific Public Health Award—a rangatira whose mahi transforms lives and uplifts aiga across Aotearoa.
PHANZ Chief Execitive, Dr Cadence Kaumona congratulated the winners, saying: “These awards honour people and organisations who stand up for the health of all New Zealanders. They show that leadership in public health is not only about expertise, but also about courage, compassion, and commitment to justice. Each of this year’s recipients reminds us of what’s possible when we put people and equity at the heart of our work.”
The Public Health Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations working to achieve equity, uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and protect and promote the health of all who call Aotearoa home.