Lucy Blakiston brings trophy home

When Lucy Blakiston learned she was up for a top honour at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, she had a joyful reaction. “I’m so excited to bring my family up to the awards night,” she told Marlborough Weekly, “and have the loudest table in the whole room, too!”

The Marlburian’s contingent had reason to revel, as she wound up recognised as 2026 Go Media Young New Zealander of the Year at the 19 March gala in Auckland.

Lucy, a pioneer in the media sphere, joined two other locals – one in her category – at the ceremony. Picton’s León Bristow, an Auckland-based art director and casting agency founder, was a fellow finalist of hers. Renwick’s Leatham Landon-Lane, chief technical officer of the waste recycling firm Zethos in Christchurch, was up for 2degrees New Zealand Innovator of the Year.

“This was a huge moment for all the weird girls and all the fangirls, so this one’s for them!” Lucy told the Weekly in the afterglow of the awards. “I’m also so proud of both Leatham and León – Marlborough sure does raise some cool kids.”

A Blenheim native who attended Marlborough Girls’ College, 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.

Among the nationwide accolades, Lucy earned kudos from Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor.

"Lucy embodies the values we are proud of in Marlborough – innovation, integrity and heart,” the mayor said. “She is inspiring a generation to care, think critically and to make a difference. We could not be prouder of her.

“On behalf of the Marlborough community, I warmly congratulate Lucy on this outstanding national honour.”