Marlburians short-listed for tall honour

Lucy Blakiston, the Marlburian behind the influential platform Shit You Should Care About, finds herself in the final three for a prestigious award alongside another finalist with Marlborough roots, Auckland-based Leon Bristow.

They, plus Harlem-Cruz Ihaia of Hawke's Bay, made the short list for Go Media Young New Zealander of the Year at the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.

The list became public on Thursday evening. Winners will be announced 19 March at a gala in Auckland.

As highlighted in her finalist mention, Lucy turned a passion project she started in her bedroom into a source of news and commentary for millions of engaged young people worldwide. She has three million Instagram followers and is the author of the guidebook Make It Make Sense.

"It’s so sick and also very humbling to be still in the 'young' category!" she told Marlborough App. "I'm so excited to bring my family up to the awards night and have the loudest table in the whole room, too!"

Leon has progressed from Head Boy at Queen Charlotte College to a media and communications leader in Auckland. He is an advertising agency art director at Colenso BBDO and founder of BEING, a casting platform which champions diversity.

Mayor Nadine Taylor expressed provincial pride for Leon and Lucy: "It is amazing and awesome to have two of three NZ nominees having completed their early years and high schooling, and been young leaders, here in Marlborough."

The award recognises "young leaders aged 15 to 30 whose ideas, energy, and commitment are transforming Aotearoa," organisers explain. "These are the rangatahi challenging the status quo, lifting up others, and laying the groundwork for a more connected, inclusive, and ambitious future."

Visit nzawards.org.nz for more about the finalists in each category.