The Warehouse founder and director, Sir Stephen Tindall, has been named New Zealander of the Year 2015

Tindall, together with his wife Margaret, is co-founder and trustee of The Tindall Foundation. Established to support community-based initiatives, enterprise and social services, the foundation also supports the environment, strengthens the community sector and promotes generosity.

Tindall also co-founded the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development.

To date, the foundation has provided more than $100 million to support a range of community initiatives.He has invested more than $250 million in seed and venture capital in a large number of start up and early stage businesses, ranging from environmental technology to high tech and software and businesses with export potential.“The calibre, commitment and achievement of all the nominees made choosing this year’s winners incredibly tough but it shows how fortunate New Zealand is to have so many great people,” said the award’s chief judge, Cameron Bennett.

“Sir Stephen Tindall embodies what it is to be a Kiwi. He’s passionate about our country and our people, and he places huge personal value on integrity and hard work. His skills, expertise and drive have made thousands of Kiwis better off.”

Mark Powell, CEO of the Warehouse Group, congratulated Tindall on becoming New Zealander of the Year.

“Sir Stephen’s tireless work to help New Zealand flourish in the area of family, employment and enterprise, and care for the environment is truly an inspiration to myself and our team members,” said Powell.

“We owe so much to the vision and immense hard work Sir Stephen has put into The Warehouse Group and into New Zealand as a whole – he is an exceptional entrepreneur, businessman and New Zealander, and we’re very proud of his outstanding accomplishment and this recognition of his work.”

A short film profiling Sir Stephen can be viewed at https://inner.kiwi/new-zealander-year/.