Professor Bev Lawton ONZM Named 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa
Professor Bev Lawton ONZM (Ngāti Porou) has been named the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa, with seven other extraordinary individuals recognised at a sell-out Gala Dinner in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Professor Bev Lawton ONZM (Ngāti Porou) is a pioneering force in women’s health in Aotearoa New Zealand. As the founder and director of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine (National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa), she has driven critical advancements in cervical cancer screening, maternal health, and indigenous health equity.
“Hei Āhuru Mōwai would like to acknowledge and whakamana this incredible recognition of Bev and her mahi being recognised as Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. The HPV self-testing model, which Professor Lawton advocated for, replaced cervical smears as the key cervical screening tool in Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary care centres in September 2023. Bev – thank you for your tireless mahi in cervical cancer screening kaupapa and of your support to Hei Āhuru Mōwai. Ka mau te wehi whaea Bev,” says Tumuaki Gary Thompson.
Over the past year, her advocacy led to New Zealand’s historic shift to HPV self-testing as the primary method for cervical screening – making Aotearoa the first high-income country to do so. Working closely with kaumātua, Bev is a true champion for many communities – building strong relationships, ensuring research is relevant and innovative, with all her work grounded in community engagement.
Her ability to disseminate important information about women’s health more broadly ensures the profile of women’s health in Aotearoa is elevated, and she regularly contributes expert commentary to media, providing evidence, ideas, and opportunities for system transformation.
Her research-informed policies and alliances continue to shape healthcare systems, tackle inequities and reduce preventable harm for wāhine Māori and all women across the motu.
From thousands of nominations, these remarkable New Zealanders were selected by our independent Executive Judging Panel for their passion and dedication in making our country a better place.
Miriama Kamo, Te Koruru Patron of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa, says, “What gives you hope? For me, it’s people serving what might seem an impossible goal. It’s those who set out to improve the lot of others. It’s knowing that many choose action over anxiety, when hope seems lost. Tonight, we honour those who serve those ideals, who keep hope alive. When the light is dim, when the dark pervades, these are the people who lead the way. Often, these accomplishments go unnoticed because those that achieve them look for results, not recognition. But tonight, we celebrate them in the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa.”