Gavin Findlay, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN), has taken home the Anthony Harper Community Leadership Award at the 2025 New Zealand Leadership Awards.
Presented at its Gala event on September 4, the Community Leadership Award recognises those who make a meaningful impact on local communities and are dedicated to social responsibility, community engagement and making a positive difference.
Category Finalists
Findlay was named the winner for growing NZFN exponentially over the past five years, pioneering a food distribution model that drives impactful change for people and the environment.
The other category finalists were Richard Adams, Founder and National Director of Taskforce Kiwi and Dr Alexander Stevens II, the CEO of StandingTallNZ.org and Senior Māori Lecturer at AUT.
Reflecting on the award, Findlay says, “I’m incredibly honoured to have won, especially in the company of two other incredible leaders.
“I share this award with the wider NZFN team I have the privilege of working alongside. Their collective mahi across our nationwide network is what makes everything possible. It’s a reminder that, together, we can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. A big thank you to the New Zealand Leadership Awards for this recognition.”
National Food Rescue
Since stepping in as the first and only CEO of NZFN in 2020, Findlay has led the charity’s growth and established it as an essential part of the country’s food support ecosystem.
As Aotearoa’s national food rescue and largest food support charity, NZFN has partnered with over 200 food businesses and 65 nationwide Food Hubs to distribute more than 36 million kilograms of food to those experiencing food insecurity. Its Food Hubs have provided the equivalent of 82 million meals to Kiwis in need, while avoiding over 58 million kilograms of CO2 equivalent emissions from entering the atmosphere.
Over this time, Gavin and the NZFN team have expanded its partnerships with government agencies, food businesses, charities, and donors, enabling the organisation to continue to respond to the demand for food support.
Essential Nutrition
“Seeing the difference our work makes in communities across Aotearoa is what drives me every day. It’s why we keep striving to meet the growing demand for food support, encouraging businesses to donate surplus or gifted food, and inviting individuals to give what they can,” adds Findlay.
Today, NZFN continues to provide essential nutrition to hundreds of thousands of Kiwis every month, redistributing surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.
Now in its second year, the New Zealand Leadership Awards celebrates leaders across different sectors who have not only navigated change but have used it to inspire progress.