In celebration of BLAKE’s 20th anniversary, former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the prestigious BLAKE Leadership Awards in Auckland, alongside eight other distinguished award recipients.
In her role as Prime Minister of New Zealand and as a close friend of Sir Peter Blake, Helen was instrumental in establishing BLAKE (formerly the Sir Peter Blake Trust) in 2004, ensuring the continuation of Sir Peter’s legacy in championing action to safeguard our climate and biodiversity.
According to BLAKE CEO James Gibson Helen Clark has been an exceptional advocate for Sir Peter’s legacy and a pioneer in advancing his vision.
“Through a globally-significant career in politics and international development, Helen Clark has become one of the most powerful women in the world. We are incredibly proud to recognise her lifelong commitment to advancing sustainable development, gender equality and international cooperation on the world stage.”
Reflecting on her award and connection with Sir Peter, Helen shared her pride in supporting BLAKE’s work since its inception and witnessing its growth over the past two decades.
“Peter's efforts to awaken concern about environmental degradation had taken hold in the hearts and minds of those who had the privilege of spending time with him. I appreciated the potential to draw from his courage and curiosity for education programmes which would inspire future generations of New Zealand children to care for the environment.
“Twenty years on, our vision and Peter’s aspirations have been realised through dedicated programmes in which BLAKE can take real pride. In a world grappling with climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and biodiversity loss, it is critical we nurture the environmental leaders our world urgently needs,” shared Clark.
In total, nine New Zealanders were recognised at the BLAKE Leadership Awards, all demonstrating leadership and a significant contribution to a more sustainable future across social, cultural, environmental, or economic areas of New Zealand society.
The 2023 BLAKE Leadership Award recipients are:
Dame Naida Glavish for her leadership in building bicultural policies and tikanga best practice guidelines that have delivered better outcomes for Māori patients within the health system
Legendary sailors Blair Tuke and Peter Burling for creating the Live Ocean Foundation, which partners with marine scientists, innovators and communicators to scale up action for a healthy ocean
Broadcaster, Māori language advocate and author Stacey Morrison for her outstanding leadership in inspiring a generation of Kiwis to embrace te reo Māori
Oliver Hunt for developing an innovative solution processing single-use medical devices for re-use in New Zealand hospitals, diverting 25 tonnes of plastic from entering landfills over six years
Dr Ellen Joan Ford for her mahi in supporting working parents and supporting 563 Afghani refugees gain New Zealand visas and safe access to the country
The BLAKE Environmental Leadership Award recipient is Hayden Smith who leads a team of volunteers and students to remove more than 15 million litres of waste from Aotearoa’s waterways with his organisation Seacleaners Trust
The BLAKE Youth Leadership Award recipient is Eva-Sky Gundry, who, at the age of 16, channelled her passion for the earth and surfing by creating Sky’s Surf School. Today, she has grown a profitable and sustainable business that serves her community, builds confidence in young people and fosters respect for the natural environment.
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Published: March 2024