Our Judges for 2026

Martin Bosley is one of New Zealand’s finest chefs. 

Living by the philosophy that we should eat what’s in season, what’s local, and what’s fresh, he has been bestowed with every major food award in the country.  With a career spanning more than four decades, Martin has contributed food columns to publications such as The Listener. For 13 years he was the food columnist for Air New Zealand’s in-flight magazine Kia Ora and now writes a regular column for Cuisine. He has released two critically acclaimed cookbooks, Martin Bosley Cooks and Martin Bosley, appears regularly on radio, television, and at food festivals in New Zealand and around the world; and has been commissioned by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise as a Chef Ambassador to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Japan and San Francisco. He appears monthly on Radio New Zealand’s Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan and with Wallace Chapman on The Panel.

Because he’s dancing as fast as he can, Martin is also a Councillor for the Greytown Ward, South Wairarapa District Council, where he brings his passion for community, sustainability, and local enterprise to the forefront of regional decision making.

Unequivocally committed to New Zealand’s food culture, Martin co-founded Wellington’s iconic City Market, a weekly food and wine market showcasing Wellington’s artisan and bespoke producers. For 11 years he has run the Remutaka Prison ‘Gate to Plate’ event as part of Wellington on a plate, providing training to long-term prisoners and supporting their transition into employment upon release. Most recently, he was the patron of Cohort 50, the Department of Corrections newest officers.

Known for his love of all things piscine, he owns Yellow Brick Road, a seafood company dedicated to bridging the gap between those who catch and those who cook. On Saturday mornings, you’ll find him at the Crop Up Market in Greytown, selling fresh seafood and connecting directly with the local community.

Martin embraces and champions the efforts of New Zealand’s winemakers, farmers, fishers, and artisans. As such, he is a leading contributor to the development of a broad, rich and exciting New Zealand cuisine – one that reflects a country of diverse multicultural tastes and stellar produce. 

Lawrence is the current Managing Director of the Kāpiti Impact Group. 

His 30+ year experience in the not-for-profit/ for purpose/ charitable and community sector involves both operational leadership/management and governance as a Chairperson and Trustee.

He is a former Deputy Mayor of the Kāpiti Coast District and has served 12 years on School Boards in Kāpiti including 9 years as Board Chair. He also serves nationally as a Trustee of Acts Churches NZ which includes governance roles for many Trusts across NZ.

Lawrence is passionate about thriving communities and loves seeing organisations thrive and excel in their area of purpose and passion.

Bryan Is a legal and business consultant. He retired as an independent commercial barrister of the High Court in June 2022 having been, until 31 March 2013, a Partner in the Wellington office of the New Zealand national law firm, now known as Dentons Kensington Swan. He served as Managing Partner of the Commercial Advisory division, Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Director, of the law firm and specialised in Corporate and Commercial Law and Competition/Regulatory Law.

Bryan is the immediate past Chairman of the Kapiti Youth Employment Foundation (commonly called Work Ready Kapiti). He was a member of the executive board of trustees of the Enterprise New Zealand Trust (2004-16). He was Director of Wellington Rugby Football Union (1998-2004) and served as Chairman of the Audit & Financial Subcommittee and Commercial Subcommittee; a member of the Advisory Board, VIP Transport, Internal Affairs Department (1992-96); and, Advisory Board, QEC Enterprises, Internal Affairs Department (1990-96). Bryan was also a member of the New Zealand Council of the Institute of Directors (2008-2010) and Chairman of the Wellington Branch Committee of the Institute of Directors (2006-2010).

Brian Elliott is a founding Principal of Designgroup Stapleton Elliott and is the founding Chairman of Designgroup New Zealand. He has served the New Zealand Institute of Architects in several capacities and was National President from 1997 to 1999. Brian holds a Bachelor of Architecture with Honours from Auckland University, is a Life Fellow and Past President of the NZIA and holds an NZIA Award of Honour.

With over 40 years’ experience working for clients throughout New Zealand and Australia, Brian is a recognised expert in the Education sector. He is an Education Planner working across all education sectors, including ECE centres, Primary and Secondary schools through to entire Tertiary Education campus planning throughout New Zealand. He has been appointed by the NZ Government to a number of educational organisations, including Early Childhood and Tertiary Boards and working parties.

I am a retired Chartered Accountant. I obtained an Accountancy Degree from Victoria University in Wellington. After qualifying I have worked for PWC in Wellington and then Unilever Plc in London. After returning to NZ, my wife Diane and I moved to Levin where we purchased a 420-acre farm, and I started the accountancy firm Fluker Denton with John Fluker in 1990.

Since retiring in 2016, I became a Trustee of Te Puna Whai MaTauranga based in Levin (a 

tertiary education organisation previously known as HLC providing workforce training and education and social services), a Justice of the Peace, and Chairman of the Summit Body Corporate based in Thorndon, Wellington.

My interests are in travel, tramping, golf and our family and grandchildren.

Chris Wilkinson is a leading authority on retail strategy and urban regeneration with over 30 years of experience driving the economic success of consumer destinations. As the founder and Managing Director of First Retail Group, he translates global trends into actionable strategies for ambitious brands, property developers, and government organisations across Australasia, the Pacific, the US, UK, and Dubai.

He is widely recognized for a future-focused approach that navigates the intersection of shopper behavior, digital evolution, and physical placemaking. Chris specialises in helping progressive local councils and private sector leaders adapt town and city centers to meet the changing needs of modern businesses and their customers. His core expertise spans strategic advisory, sustainable economic modelling, and performance optimisation through deep consumer insights and change management.

With over 35 years of experience in leadership coaching, including a decade as a military officer, Sally empowers entrepreneurs, peak performers, elite sports teams, and industry leaders to cultivate extraordinary cultures, articulate and achieve their visions, and sustain peak performance.

As a speaker, Sally inspires individuals and organizations to prioritize wellness by delving into the neuro-physiological impact of stress on performance and wellbeing. Her direct and humorous approach delivers insightful, actionable strategies that resonate with audiences.

Sally’s expertise lies in the science of sleep and its pivotal role in athletic and professional success. She specializes in designing environments with optimal lighting and layouts to enhance recovery, performance, and overall wellbeing. Her passion includes consulting on the creation of elite athlete villages, residential halls, and hotel environments that maximize sleep quality and performance through neuroscience-based environmental strategies.