Warm congratulations to author Dame Claudia Orange on her selection as a Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year semi-finalist, recognising her extraordinary lifelong contribution to deepening our understanding of Aotearoa’s histories.
The judges’ citation says:
‘For nearly four decades, Dame Claudia Orange has shaped the way New Zealanders understand their past and, in doing so, their national identity. Her groundbreaking 1987 book The Treaty of Waitangi brought clarity and credibility to a subject long clouded by misunderstanding. It became an instant classic, selling more than 50,000 copies and changing the national conversation about te Tiriti o Waitangi. Companion works such as The Story of a Treaty and An Illustrated History of the Treaty of Waitangi remain staples of classrooms and libraries nationwide.’
‘At 87, Dame Claudia remains an active and respected voice in the country’s historical life. Over the past few years she has continued to research Treaty, deliver public lectures across the motu, and advise on key heritage projects such as He Tohu and Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi. Present at Waitangi Day and at Parliament for the 2025 return of Ōrākau to Tainui, she continues to bring wisdom and clarity to national conversations.’
For more information, visit the awards website: www.nzawards.org.nz/awards/senior-new-zealander-of-the-year/