Alison Mau hosts this presentation of 100 most influential NZers judged by a panel of experts.
Panel of experts: Tainui Stevens, Douglas Lloyd-Jenkins, Robyn Langwell, Kerre Woodham, Joseph Romanos, Stacey Daniels, Raybon Kan, Melanie Nolan.
“Filmed at St Matthew In The City in Auckland, this episode was the public's opportunity to vote for New Zealand's top history maker.
The People's Choice was decided by text and email voting up until the mid point of the show.
The second half of the programme revealed the public's top ten in order.
10. Sir Roger Douglas
At number ten was Sir Roger Douglas. Labour finance Minister from 1984 until 1988. He lead us through the most radical economic reform in 50 years.
9. Rua Kenana
Number nine, Rua Kenana was a prophet and activist who set up his own Jerusalem at Maungapohatu. He wanted autonomy for his own people.
8. Colin Murdoch
Number eight - Colin Murdoch has been a previously unsung kiwi hero - but his world-changing inventions, the disposable syringe and the tranquilizer gun, have caught the nation's imagination.
7. Sir Apirana Ngata
Number seven was Sir Apirana Ngata, a brilliant statesman, who bridged two cultures, and oversaw the revitalisation and protection of Tikanga Maori.
6. David Lange
David Lange was placed as our sixth favourite history maker. He led the Labour Government through radical economic changes and championed New Zealand's Nuclear free stance.
5. Billy T James
At number five was Billy T James, who reigned supreme during the 1980s as New Zealand's funniest man drawing Pakeha and Maori together in laughter.
4. Charles Upham
Number four was Charles Upham, the only combatant soldier to have ever won two Victoria Crosses the highest medal for bravery.
3. Sir Edmund Hillary
Sir Edmund Hillary was number three. He was the first to scale the world's highest mountain Mt Everest and has worked selflessly to help the Nepalese for over four decades.
2. Kate Sheppard
Our second favourite history maker was Kate Sheppard, who campaigned selflessly for female emancipation and in 1893 New Zealand became the first country where women could vote.
1. Ernest Rutherford
And the top History Maker of all time, as voted by the New Zealand public, was Ernest Rutherford, creator of modern atomic physics was dubbed by Einstein a ‘second Newton’.” www.historymakers.co.nz; 03/05/2006