Jennifer has been named New Zealander of the Year

At a ceremony on 20 February, Jennifer was named the 2020 New Zealander of the Year.

“Jennifer Ward-Lealand is a pou of the performing arts community and a role model for all New Zealanders, demonstrating leadership and dedication in all walks of life.  Her exceptional artistic talent has guided her to the pinnacle of the performing arts industry where she has amassed an impressive body of work as an actor and director alongside a lifetime of voluntary work, using her mana to advocate on important issues affecting the performing arts community.

“In all these endeavors, she has shown an genuine commitment and passion for te reo Maori me ona tikanga, showing the way to an authentic bi-cultural society”.  Read the rest here.

Jennifer has done a number of interviews about the award, including on TVNZ’s Breakfast show, Three’s The AM Show, and in print on The Spinoff.