2023: A year of connections, impact and milestones
21 December 2023It’s been a big year for the Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF), featuring a huge amount of connection, action and impact!
Hillary Institute and EHF’s CEO, Rosalie Nelson described 2023 as:
“This year has been underpinned by energy, inspiration and the incredible impact that Fellows are creating for the world. We have new transformative ventures; great success stories of how Fellows are building Aotearoa NZ’s innovation system; incredible social and environmental systems change - and the very human stories of helping each other.”
The following are just some of the highlights of Fellows’ impact and milestones for the organisation during 2023 - driving forward EHF’s purpose to partner with Aotearoa NZ to find and build solutions to our toughest challenges.
A New Expedition Event
In February, the Hillary Institute and EHF announced plans for ‘A New Expedition’ to draw together Laureates and Fellows and introduced The Mission Studio, which is about activating exceptional people and innovative projects to power up system solutions from Aotearoa.
Images (left to right): Hillary Institute and EHF CEO Rosalie Nelson announces The Mission Studio; Hillary Laureate 2018 Megan Fallone at the New Expedition event; Te Āti Awa Chair, Mātua Kura Moeahu, spoke at the event; the event provided an opportunity for Fellows to meet and connect
Fellows rallying to support cyclone-devastated communities
Following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle (February 2023) in Te Tairāwhiti (Gisborne) and Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay), Fellows swiftly mobilised to support the recovery efforts. Fellows joined forces to support existing Fellow initiatives or projects, or offer financial or hands-on support, including:
Nathalie Whitaker and Toha colleagues establishing East Coast Exchange
Elizabeth McNaughton and Jolie Wills providing a free webinar for cyclone-affected individuals
Kim Aitken designing a resilient housing prototype
Chris Jansen and Janine Edge helping Lily Stender and Tolaga Bay Innovation collaborating on focus areas for recovery efforts
Lily and Scott Miller launching an enduring fund for indigenous entrepreneurs
Thabiso Mashaba helped the Tolaga Bay community address slash and forestry debris challenges.
Images (left to right): East Coast Exchange was swiftly established as a transparent and decentralised donation model to offer on-the-ground visibility into needs and progress of the disaster recovery efforts; EHF Fellows Thabiso Mashaba and Sasha Lockley with the ‘Slash for Cash’ team at the Startup Weekend Tairāwhiti
Final two Welcome Experiences
In March and May, EHF welcomed 155 Fellows to Aotearoa, in the final two official Welcome Experiences. Both groups were generously gifted their respective names Manu Tukutuku and Ngaa Reo Wheko by EHF’s iwi partners Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānaui. Fellows participated in three-day immersive experiences, to build meaningful connections and grow their understanding of Aotearoa NZ as a bi-cultural nation and a basecamp for global impact.
Images (left to right): Manu Tukutuku at their March Welcome Experience; Ngaa Reo Wheko at their May Welcome Experience; Te Āti Awa kaumātua Matiu Tahi addresses Manu Tukututu at their mihi whakatau; Facilitator Mikaere Paki guiding Fellows during their mihi whakatau. Images by Fellow Chris Gagne
Images (left to right): Facilitator Sharn Maree and Te Āti Awa kaumātua Matiu Tahi; EHF Fellow Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafunai leads Fellows through connection activities; Facilitator Mikaere Paki sharing mātauranga (knowledge) with Fellows; CEO Rosalie Nelson welcomes Ngaa Reo Wheko. Images by Fellow Chris Gagne
Events connecting Fellows with innovation ecosystem and the regions
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Panel discussion with Ben van Bruggen, EHF Fellow Marc Mitchell, Pam Ford, Mahood Hikmet, and Matt Ensor
With so many Fellows in the country for their Welcome Experiences, it was a great opportunity to connect with stakeholders, government and business leaders, through various in-person meetups and events. For example, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Kāpiti Coast District Council hosted Business Days, facilitating connections and providing information around high-value sectors in their regions. EHF also hosted meet and greets with government and various stakeholders in Wellington.
Local and Global Connections
Many Fellow-led hui (meeting) and meetups were held throughout the year, around Aotearoa NZ, and the globe. CEO Rosalie Nelson also visited New York and San Francisco, connecting with many Fellows and Hillary Laureates. International Fellows shared how they are supporting Kiwi founders through connections, advice and investments, as well as their support with promoting Aotearoa NZ as a great place for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Images (left to right): Fellow Meet Up in San Francisco with CEO Rosalie Nelson and Head of Fellowship Experience Michelle Parker; Fellows made literal connections at a Fellows’ hui in Pōneke Wellington; Regular Fellows’ hui and meet-ups were held around Aotearoa NZ during 2023; And all around the globe - such as in Singapore!
EHF Community Collective
One of the strengths of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship is how Fellows support each other and their commitment to action. This was highlighted in 2023 with the EHF Community Collective, a Fellow-led initiative to support and fund Fellows' projects, particularly ones that make a difference to communities in Aotearoa. From supporting the development of flood-resilient housing models, to creating opportunities for Kiwi students through scholarships, Fellows helped to raise a total of $99,000 towards these and other projects.
70th Anniversary Everest ascent
In May the Hillary Institute and EHF celebrated Everest Day and the 70th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s summit of Mt Everest. CEO Rosalie Nelson reflected on their monumental achievement and Hillary Institute Founder and Kaitiaki (Guardian) and Fellows reflected how Sir Edmund Hillary’s legacy vibrantly lives on through the purpose-driven community of 11 Hillary Institute Laureates and 500+ EHF Fellows.
Images (left to right): CEO Rosalie Nelson with Peter Hillary at The Himalayan Trust Everest70 event at the Auckland Museum; Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
The Mission Studio First Convening - Nature Restoration & Discovery Sessions
The Mission Studio officially went live with its first-ever convening in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland in July. Five months after The Mission Studio was announced, the convening focused on Nature Restoration, with 35 participants, including iwi partners Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui, EHF Fellows, nature restoration experts, policy leads, industry leaders, systems thinkers and entrepreneurs.
Then in October, the Mission Studio’s first Discovery Sessions, dove deeper into key themes surrounding systems change that came out of the first convening - te ao Māori, regenerative finance, and new value/impact measures. Attended by ecosystem leaders and Fellows, each session took a closer look at projects in Aotearoa NZ, grounded in these themes.
Images (left to right): The Mission Studio first convening participants; Tamahau Rowe addressing the group; Breakout session at Mission Studio convening
Significant impact highlighted in 2022/23 Annual Report
The 2022/23 Annual Report featuring impact findings highlighted the huge impact Fellows are contributing to Aotearoa NZ’s businesses, innovation system and communities. The report shared how Fellows are driving millions in new investment, helping Kiwi businesses grow and break into global markets, and supporting communities tackle local and systemic challenges.
Fellow awards, achievements and impact … just to name a few!
Camden Howitt won the New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau award (Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards)
Joanne McEachen received a Kea World Class New Zealand Award for her outstanding contributions to education through The Learner First. Emeline and Eric Dahlstrom, Kea Friends of NZ awardees, were honoured for their pivotal role in advancing New Zealand's aerospace technology and innovation through their non-profit consultancy, SpaceBase.
Sasha Lockley and Money Sweetspot took out the Biggest Impact on Financial Health award at the Global Financial Wellbeing Awards, a huge recognition of the impact Sasha’s business is having on financial system change and helping people to better navigate financial nuance and disrupt predatory lending.
Kelly McGonigle and Trevor Squier with other Fellows supported the Angel Association NZ to host a group of NZ startups in Denver, US, offering Kiwi founders the chance to meet US-based entrepreneurs and investors. These interactions were about supporting the successful integration of Kiwi businesses into the global market and an example of how Fellows can create impact in New Zealand from abroad!
Kaye Maree Dunn was recognised for her contribution to meaningful change to the digital and tech sector in Aotearoa NZ by winning the Kaiāwhina (Change Maker and Emergent Change Maker) award at the inaugural Te Hapori Matihiko Awards.
Images (left to right): Fellow Camden Howitt accepts the NZ Environmental Hero of the Year award; Fellows Joanne McEachen and Emeline & Eric Dahlstrom accepting their Kea World Class Awards; Fellow Kaye Maree Dunn accepting the Kaiāwhina award at the inaugural Te Hapori Matihiko Awards
Anne-Marie Brook and the Human Rights Measurement Initiative registered the Rights Tracker as a Digital Public Good, the second project in Aotearoa NZ to be recognised as a Digital Public Good (DPG).
Matthew Shribman, Joanne McEachen and Sarah Grant joined forces to provide interactive Climate 101 Masterclasses for Aotearoa, especially for organisations in Aotearoa NZ looking to become climate and sustainability leaders.
Alex Lee and Dan Shanan held another successful Doc Edge Festival, showcasing international documentaries and captivating New Zealand audiences with immersive experiences. The programme featured films by Fellows Matthieu Rytz and Christopher Gebhardt, with Kat Lintott premiering her XR projects. Joseph Michael was a featured subject on the festival's opening night, and Mayank Malik and Hunter Weeks participated in the Doc Edge Pitch event. Bruktawit Tigabu and Kat Lintott engaged in the Doc Edge Forum, while Sasha Lockley, Sean McGrail, and Janine Edge provided valuable support leading up to the Festival.
Images (left to right): Fellow Anne-Marie Brook, Climate and sustainability leaders event in Ōtautahi/Christchurch; Doc Edge Festival promotional poster
Two of Aaron McDonald’s companies were announced in the inaugural Callaghan 100 Report, with Futureverse taking honours on the main list and IMMERSVE on the up and coming companies list.
Rob Reid made a significant multi-million investment in Auckland-based start-up Mint Bio, the world's first company to use natural biomass and smart chemistry to extract green metals from waste commercially, and is a prime example of the impact Fellows are creating for the NZ innovation ecosystem.
Jase Te Patu was a spokesperson for the Mental Health Foundation of NZ's Mindfulness Month in July, addressing the rising prevalence of anxiety and depression, especially among young people. Jase also initiated the not-for-profit Hauora Aotearoa, with support from Fellow Steven Moe in navigating the not-for-profit sector. Renowned author, podcaster, and EHF Fellow Tim Ferriss pledged USD 25K to support Jase's Hauora Aotearoa.
Steven Moe held The Seeds Impact Conference which included multiple Fellows on various panels, bringing together changemakers in a dynamic exploration of crucial topics to foster meaningful connections aiming to create tangible, positive impacts on a global scale.
Images (left to right): Fellows Aaron McDonald; Rob Reid; Jase Te Patu; Steven Moe
Michael Tchou, Lisa Nelson, Chuck Chai, Michael Sims, and Anthony Lee supported economic and technological collaboration between Aotearoa NZ and the US. They met with the New Zealand Ambassador to the US, Bede Corry, at a high-impact NZTE Investor Migrant event in San Francisco, helping to raise the profile of Aotearoa NZ as an innovation nation, supporting potential economic and innovation opportunities.
Sarah Grant and Kia Kotahi Ako published an impact report on their successful We Share Solar pilot project in Taranaki kura kaupapa (Māori-language immersion school). The hands-on STEM program, has been a collaborative effort involving more than 10 Fellows from NZ and around the world focused on building solar panel kits and promoting equitable solutions with a Māori approach.
Images (left to right): Fellows Michael Tchou; Lisa Nelson; Chuck Chai; Michael Sims; Anthony Lee; We Share Solar pilot project
End of 7-year contract
October marked the end of EHF’s 7-year contract with Government and the successful completion of the global impact visa pilot.
Celebration of the milestone at an online event with Fellows
With 500+ entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers, in 2024, EHF is focused on amplifying the collective impact of the Fellowship through creating the platforms and tools needed for connection, supporting Fellow-led communities of interest (e.g. climate, philanthropy), curating events for action, and continuing to pilot The Mission Studio.
What an amazing year! The EHF team is grateful for the support of our partners and the huge contribution that Fellows are making every day to Aotearoa NZ and around the world.
We are so excited to see the impact Fellows will create in 2024!
