A distinguished Māori artist, Elizabeth Ellis CNZM JP, has been named the 2025 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.
A graduate of Elam School of Fine Arts, Elizabeth has worked to champion Māori artistic expression both nationally and internationally over several decades.
Elizabeth’s award signifies the seventh time Ryman Healthcare has supported this category of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, which provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Kiwi seniors who continue to make positive contributions towards the future of Aotearoa.
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Elizabeth’s key achievements include founding the Haerewa Māori Advisory Board at Auckland Art Gallery and establishing both the Toi Iho Charitable Trust for authentic Māori art certification and the Wairau Māori Art Gallery, Aotearoa’s first public Māori art gallery. She is also working on the establishment of the Māori Art Museum of Aotearoa (MAMA).
She described winning the award as ‘wonderful’.
“It’s about visibility of seniors and older people. Older people often say, ‘It feels as though I’m invisible’. And this helps to make older people visible again.”
Elizabeth said the award being presented by Ryman Healthcare made it extra special, since her husband, fellow artist Robert Ellis, was cared for in the hospital at Ryman’s Bert Sutcliffe Village in Birkenhead before he passed away in 2021.
“It was a wonderful place for him to be. The staff were just wonderful and he was so well looked after in those final days.
“I’m delighted and thrilled that there’s yet another connection with Ryman,” she said.
Ryman Healthcare CEO Naomi James said it was fantastic to celebrate New Zealanders who challenge stereotypes of ageing whilst inspiring others to keep striving forward, no matter their age.
“It was a real honour for me to present Elizabeth with this award. Her dedication, leadership and passion for championing Māori art is something we can all be inspired by.”
The big moment of the night was the naming of Professor Bev Lawton as the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa for her tireless efforts to improve women’s health.
Another key highlight was when Sir Mark Dunajtschik, who won the Senior New Zealander of the Year Award in 2023, was announced as this year’s New Zealand Legacy Award Te Pou Tūroa o Aotearoa.