“These awards shine a light on the remarkable individuals who are driving change and helping make Aotearoa New Zealand a better place to grow older. It’s a meaningful occasion for Age Concern New Zealand and forms part of our recognition of the International Day of Older Persons, promoting respect, inclusion, and the value of our older generations,” says Karen Billings-Jensen, Chief Executive of Age Concern New Zealand.
The Hon. Casey Costello and Age Concern New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Karen Billings-Jensen formally presented the awards at the Huia Awards Ceremony, held on Wednesday 1 October, at Parliament.
This year’s Huia Award winners are:
At 84 years old, Judith Davey exemplifies the spirit of the Age Concern New Zealand Huia Award through her dedication to the wellbeing, rights, and visibility of older people in Aotearoa.
Judith’s impact spans decades, beginning with her academic leadership as Director of the New Zealand Institute for Research on Ageing (2002–2007), and continuing through her role as Research Associate at Victoria University of Wellington’s Institute of Governance and Policy Studies. Her work has consistently bridged research, policy, and advocacy, making her a respected voice in national conversations about ageing.
Her contributions include:
Judith became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2018 for services to seniors.
Judith’s work is not only broad in scope but deeply personal in its impact. She is a connector, a collaborator, and a tireless advocate who continues to study, write, and speak out on issues affecting older people. Her ability to move between individual needs, organisational roles, and national policy discussions makes her a unique and invaluable contributor.
The Huia Award honours her enduring commitment, wisdom, and leadership, and celebrates her as a beacon of community, friendship, and respect.
Irihapeti (Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāpuhi) is the visionary behind the Kahukura Kaumātua Programme, a monthly kaupapa Māori day programme held at Birdlings Flat Community Centre. Designed specifically for kaumātua, Kahukura blends clinical health promotion with cultural celebration, offering a space of belonging, revitalisation, and reconnection. Each gathering includes shared seasonal kai, waiata, gentle exercise, te reo Māori learning, games, and rotating health topics—from mental wellbeing to vaccination awareness.
The programme has become a loved event for many kaumātua, especially those living rurally or alone. It fosters deep social connection and pride, with participants eager to become ambassadors as Kahukura expands to new locations.
Irihapeti’s leadership is hands-on and heartfelt. She plans each session, coordinates health experts, sources traditional kai like koura and titi, and even calls bingo numbers in te reo Māori. Her work uplifts the collective, honours whakapapa, and reimagines community-led health care. Alongside collaborator Annette Finlay, she built Kahukura from the ground up, ensuring every element is guided by the voices and needs of kaumātua themselves.
Beyond Kahukura, Irihapeti has been a tireless advocate for kaupapa Māori models of care. As a clinical assessor for the Canterbury District Health Board, she has long championed culturally grounded health services that empower Māori elders to make informed decisions and maintain their mana motuhake. Her work with Whare Tiaki, a supported living facility for kaumātua in Ōtautahi, exemplifies this vision—offering independence, companionship, and cultural continuity in a safe, nurturing environment.
The Huia feather, symbolising leadership and mana, is a fitting tribute to Irihapeti’s enduring impact. Her generosity, determination, and warmth have transformed lives and communities. Age Concern New Zealand is proud to celebrate her as a 2025 Huia Award recipient.
Janferie Bryce-Chapman has dedicated nearly three decades to championing the wellbeing of older people on Auckland’s North Shore. As the founding Executive Officer of Age Concern North Shore in 1990, she stepped into a role that began with just one part-time staff member and a modest service offering. By the time she retired in 2019, Janferie had grown the organisation into a thriving hub with 12 staff and contractors, and a remarkable 250 volunteers.
Her leadership was visionary and deeply impactful. In the early 1990s, she piloted an elder abuse programme that laid the groundwork for what would become New Zealand’s national Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention programme and instigated the inaugural Age Concern services for older Asian people. Her ability to identify gaps and build sustainable solutions became a defining feature in her career.
Janferie’s influence extended well beyond Age Concern. She served on 22 different community governance committees, contributing her expertise to organisations such as the National Council of Women (North Shore branch), the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand (Board Chair), North Shore Healthy Cities, and CMA (Centres of Mutual Aid). Her commitment to collaborative leadership and inclusive community development was recognised in 2005 when she received the Community Contribution Award from the Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards, alongside a Mayoral Award for Age Concern North Shore.
In partnership with the City Council, Janferie developed the North Shore City Positive Ageing Strategy and was invited to speak at the South Korean Gerontology Society 8th Active Ageing Conference in 2013.
A Justice of the Peace since 1995, Janferie also played a key role in civic life through her involvement with the Takapuna Rotary Club, where she served as president from 2003 to 2004. In her final year at Age Concern, she advocated for Auckland to become an age-friendly city—an initiative that reflects her enduring belief in the value and dignity of older people.
In 2019, Janferie’s extraordinary contributions were formally recognised with the Queen’s Service Medal for services to the elderly and the community. It was a fitting tribute to a career defined by compassion, innovation, and tireless service. She has been an Age Concern New Zealand Board member and is currently a Trustee on the Age Concern North Shore Charitable Trust.
Janferie Bryce-Chapman is not only a leader but a connector, someone who brought people together, built networks, and ensured that older New Zealanders had a strong voice in their communities. Her legacy continues to inspire those working in social services and community development today.