Distinguished Alumni videos: Awards night 2019

Former Chief Executive and Managing Director of Fisher & Paykel Appliances John Bongard gives his acceptance speech.

John's illustrious 36-year career saw him appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010 for services to business and was named New Zealand Business Leader of the Year in 2006. John is a Founder and Chairman of The Rising Foundation and Chairman of the National Science Programme SfTI.

World-leading reconstructive plastic surgeon Simon Talbot at the University of Auckland's 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Simon is the Director of the Upper Extremity Transplant Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. Simon successfully led teams to complete ground breaking double arm transplants in 2011, 2014, and 2016. He leads a research laboratory with funding from the United States Department of Defense to further this work.

Singer/songwriter, documentary maker and writer Moana Maniapoto is celebrated for pushing the limits of Māori music. Here she gives her acceptance speech at the Awards dinner.

Inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2016, Moana is a mentor and advocate, fusing her commitment to justice with her passion for the arts. In 2004 she was the recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to music and Māori.

Winner of the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, youth development programme director and inspirational speaker throughout New Zealand, William Pike is the University of Auckland Young Alumnus of the Year 2019. Hear William speak at the Awards Dinner.

While mountaineering during the 2007 eruption of Mt Ruapehu, William's legs were crushed and one needed to be amputated. Ten years later he climbed Antarctica’s Mt Scott and was the winner of the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award. He was also a 2015 Young New Zealander of the Year finalist.