2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner

The Vice-Chancellor and the University of Auckland Society are pleased to invite you to a celebratory dinner honouring the achievements of our distinguished alumni.

• Dress code: Formal – Black tie
• Ticket price: $150 NZD
• Register: By Friday 22 February
• Queries: Stephanie Murray, Alumni Relations and Development, +64 9 923 3566, alumni-events@auckland.ac.nz

Our 2019 Distinguished Alumni

Simon Talbot
BHB 1998, MBChB 2001
Simon Talbot is a world-leading reconstructive plastic surgeon. He is the Director of the Upper Extremity Transplant Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. Simon successfully led teams to complete ground breaking double arm transplants in 2011, 2014, and 2016. He leads a research laboratory with funding from the United States Department of Defense to further this work.

John Bongard ONZM

BCom 1982
John Bongard is the former Chief Executive and Managing Director of Fisher & Paykel Appliances. His illustrious 36-year career saw him appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010 for services to business and was named New Zealand Business Leader of the Year in 2006. John is a Founder and Chairman of The Rising Foundation and Chairman of the National Science Programme SfTI.

Moana Maniapoto MNZM
LLB 1984
Singer/songwriter, documentary maker and writer Moana Maniapoto is celebrated for pushing the limits of Māori music. Inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2016, Moana is a mentor and advocate, fusing her commitment to justice with her passion for the arts. In 2004 she was the recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to music and Māori.

Young Alumnus of the Year

William Pike
BEd Tchg 2007, BEd Tchg(Hons) 2008
William Pike is a youth development programme director and inspirational speaker throughout New Zealand. While mountaineering during the 2007 eruption of Mt Ruapehu, his legs were crushed and one needed to be amputated. Ten years later he climbed Antarctica’s Mt Scott and was the winner of the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award. He was also a 2015 Young New Zealander of the Year finalist.