‘Whether it’s your finest black tie or cultural attire, wear whatever feels right for you’ was the dress code for this year’s Kiwibank New Zealander of The Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa gala dinner held on Wednesday night, with plenty of gowns and glamour in aid of honouring those who’ve helped improve Aotearoa over the past year.

Hosted by Scotty Morrison and Toni Street at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland, the gala hosted around 500 people, with guests including filmmaker Chelsea Winstanley, designer Kathryn Wilson, rugby player Sarah Hirini, Jenny May Clarkson, Ethique founder Brianne West, prime minister Christopher Luxon, Te Ao with Moana reporter Jess Tyson, Miriama Kamo and New Zealander of the Year finalist, fashion designer Kiri Nathan.

Climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger was announced as the overall winner, alongside other winners including Simran Kaur of Girls That Invest, named as University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau, Cecilia Robinson, the Spark New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau, and Cyclone Gabrielle volunteers, the Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau, and women’s health advocate Sally Walker, the Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year.

Take a look at some of the fancy outfits donned for a night honouring some of Aotearoa’s brightest, photographed by Abigail Dell'avo as guests made their way to their seats for dinner and the awards ceremony.