Marlburians achieve finalist standing for New Zealander of the Year Awards

From Marlborough to Christchurch to Auckland and beyond, high achievers with Marlburian roots influence positive change every day. Three in particular – coincidentally, sharing L as their first initial – have inspired recognition of a high order.

Lucy Blakiston, Leon Bristow, and Leatham Landon-Lane each made a short list for 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. Leon and Lucy are two of three finalists for Go Media Young New Zealander of the Year; Leatham and a colleague, Jonathan Ring, share a finalist position for 2degrees New Zealand Innovator of the Year.

Mayor Nadine Taylor expressed provincial pride:  "It is amazing and awesome to have [top-three] NZ nominees having completed their early years and high schooling, and been young leaders, here in Marlborough."

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

‘Young’ at heart

As highlighted in her finalist mention, Lucy turned a passion project she started in her bedroom into the news and commentary platform Shit You Should Care About, a source trusted by 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 Weekly. "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.

“Fifteen-year-old me at Queen Charlotte College would never have imagined receiving this kind of recognition,” he reflected. “Looking back on my haerenga, from that wide-eyed, high-pitched, gangly young teen to where I stand today, it’s been a journey.

“The good, the bad, and the ugly – every moment has shaped me. I’m not that young boy anymore, and I’m still becoming who I hope to be. But I’m deeply proud of where I am right now.”

Harlem-Cruz Ihaia of Hawke's Bay is the other finalist. She founded the social support business Purotu Limited.

Cutting edge

Leatham, dux when at Marlborough Boys' College, built a start-up from his school days at University of Canterbury into a cutting-edge waste recycling firm, Zethos (formerly Zincology). Leatham is the CTO, chief technical officer; co-nominee Jonathan is the CEO.

"It is a privilege to be recognized alongside Jono for the innovative work we do at Zethos to produce low-carbon critical minerals,” Leatham shared. “It has been a whirlwind five-year journey so far that has been thoroughly enjoyable working with amazing friends.

“We are particularly proud of our world first demonstration plant in Christchurch, a key step in achieving our ambition to decarbonise the $400 billion critical minerals market and strengthen domestic supply chains."

The other innovator finalists are Virtual Medical Coaching founder James Hayes, also from Canterbury, and Halter agri-tech founder Craig Piggott of Auckland.

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