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News release

September 12, 2011

Three Christchurch finalists announced in the 2011 Next Woman of the Year Awards

Sue Johnson, Janine Morrell-Gunn and Melissa Ruscoe from Christchurch are today revealed as finalists in the Next Woman of the Year Awards, in association with Pandora.

Coroner Sue proved herself an inspiration as the country faced one of its most horrific natural disasters. The finalist in our health and science category ensured the victims of the Christchurch earthquake were treated with respect and dignity, and portrayed extreme integrity and sensitivity to the victim’s families and the rest of the nation.

Another remarkable response to the earthquake came from Janine, who is shortlisted in our community section. Within 24 hours of the February quake she launched Adopt a Christchurch Family, built a website, confirmed celebrity endorsement and formed a media plan. Since then she has raised more than $800,000, 100% of which has gone directly to families in need with Janine covering all operating costs. She went on to launch The White Lights of Hope, sending beams of light into the night sky as a sign of unity and rebuilding.

Melissa is a strong contender in the Next Woman of the Year sports category. She has captained her national team in three different sports; football, sevens and rugby union. Most recently she led the Black Ferns to victory in the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Passionate about teaching others about sport she last year arranged coaching clinics in schools in England.

Next magazine launched the Woman of the Year Awards in 2010 with the objective of acknowledging and celebrating remarkable women, and this year’s selection truly reflects this. The 25 finalists have been selected from a wide range of entries across five major categories:  community; arts and culture; sport; health and science; and business. To narrow the field and determine the winners, Next magazine editor Sarah Henry was joined on the judging panel by Dame Catherine Tizard and Dr Gareth Morgan.

Each of the 25 finalists is profiled in the October issue of Next magazine on sale today (September 12). The overall Woman of the Year will be announced at a glitzy awards event in Auckland on October 6, and will feature in the November issue of the magazine.

Next Woman of the Year Finalists 2011

Arts & Culture

Ainsley Gardiner, Film producer

Denise L’Estrange Corbet, Fashion designer

Jill Marshall, Publisher and author

Eileen Moran, Visual effects producer

Aly Cook, Recording artist

Business

Mai Chen, Lawyer and founding partner of Chen Palmer

Sarah Gibbs, CEO Trilogy

Kylie Gibbard, Founder of Emkay

Angie Philp, Managing director of Reach Me

Jacqui Spice, Founder of Touch of Spice

Community

Ruahine Albert, Service manager at Te Whakaruruhau

Lesley Elliott, Founder of the Sophie Elliott Foundation

Janine Morrell-Gunn, Launched Adopt a Christchurch Family

Mandy Robertson, Director of Whitford Wild Bird Care Centre

Vicki Wall, Founder of Dawn Trust

Health & Science

Jenn Hooper, Founding member of Action to Improve Maternity (AIM)

Sue Johnson, Christchurch coroner

Kim Knight, Health coach

Judy Leader, Nurse practitioner – pain management

Elaine Rush, Professor of Nutrition AUT

Sport

Dr Christine Couldrey, Ultra-distance athlete

Helen Johnson, Special Olympics coach

Jayne Parsons, Paralympian

Melissa Ruscoe, Former Black Ferns Captain

Nyle Sunderland, Racewalker

Tags: christchurch, women