DIABETES NZ AWARD WINNERS - 2025

Each year, we grant a number of awards to recognise determined and hardworking people in our diabetes community.

SIR CHARLES BURNS MEMORIAL AWARD

Diabetes NZ presents this award to anyone with diabetes who can demonstrate that they have managed their diabetes through insulin therapy for a continuous period of at least 50 years. This year, we are giving our new commemorative coins for this award. The recipients are:

Carol Mellsop - Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau

Lynne Keys - Nelson | Whakatū

Bruce Harper - Canterbury | Waitaha

Janet Castlehouse - Canterbury | Waitaha

Peter Macrae - Otago | Ōtākou

Julie Anne Rodgers - Southland | Murihiku

Judith Chattington - Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara

SILVER MEDAL AWARD

This award is for anyone who can demonstrate that they have managed their diabetes through insulin therapy for a continuous period of at least 25 years. This year, our recipients are:

Tracy Inglis - Canterbury | Waitaha

Dana Young - Otago | Ōtākou

Regan Pearce - Otago | Ōtākou

JOHN MCLAREN YOUTH AWARDS

These awards offer a scholarship to young people living with diabetes who are aiming high in their chosen fields.

Preston-David Stanley from Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau is the winner in the Sporting category. Preston was selected to play for Auckland’s U17 Polynesian Basketball team who are touring LA and Las Vagas USA in April 2026 and plans to use the scholarship towards the associated costs for this.

Pippa McCarthy from Canterbury | Waitaha is our winner in the Academic category. She is in her second year studying towards a Bachelor of Agriculture Science. The scholarship money will go towards paying course fees and associated costs.

Eddie Te Hōia from Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara is our winner in the Arts/ Culture category. Eddie is a kaitiaki to tamariki who have been newly diagnosed at Wellington Hospital, he has organised fundraising drives and played a key role in driving for funding for CGMs. He will use the scholarship to fund a trip to his ancestral home to gain strength and confidence for his future mahi.