Each year, we grant a number of awards to recognise determined and hardworking people in our diabetes community.

DIABETES NEW ZEALAND AWARD

This honour recognises some of the inspiring members of our community. This year, we acknowledge Julie Russell from Waiuku, who has made an outstanding contribution to support people with diabetes.

SIR CHARLES BURNS MEMORIAL AWARD

Diabetes NZ presents this award to anyone with diabetes who can demonstrate that they have managed their diabetes through insulin therapy for a continuous period of at least 50 years. This year, we are giving our new commemorative coins for this award. The recipients are:

Geraldine Stayte, Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

Karyn Binns, Moutere

Astrid Tudberry, Nelson Whakatū

Michael Drury, Wanaka

Ralphia Paynter, Papamoa

SILVER MEDAL AWARD

This award is for anyone who can demonstrate that they have managed their diabetes through insulin therapy for a continuous period of at least 25 years. This year, our recipients are:

Simon Rickwood, Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

James Whitlock, Tauranga

Alice (Ally) Avery, Marlborough Te Tauihu-o-tewaka

Lee Savage, Nelson Whakatū

Elizabeth (Liz) Hickey, Christchurch Ōtautahi

Alistair Turnbull, Invercargill Waihōpai

JOHN MCLAREN YOUTH AWARDS

These awards offer a scholarship to young people living with diabetes who are aiming high in their chosen fields.

Matthew Butterfield from Christchurch Ōtautahi is the winner in the Sporting category. He has made the initial NZ Volleyball Men’s Team, the Volleybacks, and plans to use the scholarship to help with costs associated with travel, accommodation, and food expenses for the training camps.

Elijah Booth from Dunedin Ōtipoti is our winner in the Academic category. He has enrolled at Otago University for 2025 to study a Bachelor of Laws (LLB, First Year) and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology. His scholarship money will go towards his course entry fees and course related costs.

Finally, our Arts winner is DJ Mills from Waikato. DJ aspires to become a Formula1 photographer, and his scholarship funds will go towards travel, accommodation, and photography equipment.