Exceptional alumni honoured with prestigious University award

Trailblazing sports executive Raelene Castle; award-winning physicist and science communicator John Dudley; Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand Justice Ellen France; internationally esteemed contemporary visual artist Reuben Paterson; and acclaimed composer, songwriter and classically trained singer Moses Mackay have been named as the 2026 recipients of the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland Distinguished Alumni Awards.

A top University honour, the awards have been running since 1996 and recognise leading alumni for their significant achievements, contributions to society and their impact on New Zealand and the world.

"This year’s awardees exemplify the University’s commitment to excellence and innovation and highlight the remarkable influence our alumni community has across a broad range of disciplines worldwide," says Mark Bentley, Director of Alumni Relations and Development.

“We are delighted to celebrate their accomplishments in the fields of business, law, science and arts, and look forward to witnessing their continued impact in the years to come.”

 The 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented at the Taumata ceremony on 2 May at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland. Named to reflect the university’s Māori name, ‘place of many peaks’, the event will feature a talk show with the recipients hosted by broadcaster Jack Tame. 

Raelene Castle, ONZM
BCom 1993 (Business)

Raelene Castle (Ngāpuhi), ONZM is the Group Chief Executive of Sport New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand. Her rich career as a sports executive includes previous roles as CEO of Netball New Zealand, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Rugby Australia. An industry trailblazer, she is the first female CEO of an NRL team, of Rugby Australia and of Sport New Zealand. In 2015 she was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

John Dudley
BSc 1987, PhD 1992 (Science)

John Dudley is a renowned physicist and Professor of Physics at Marie and Louis Pasteur University in France. During his 35-year career he has made major contributions to the field of optics, published more than 270 journal articles, delivered numerous international lectures on science communication and led initiatives such as the UNESCO International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015. His accolades include the French National Centre for Scientific Research Silver Medal and the 2020 Optical Society of America R. W. Wood Prize.
 

Justice Ellen France, DNZM
LLB(Hons) 1982 (Law)

Justice Ellen France, DNZM, is a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Her career spans legal practice and the judiciary, with the latter encompassing work on the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. She made history in 2014 when she was appointed the first female President of the Court of Appeal and again in 2015 when she presided over the first all-female sitting of the Court.
 

Reuben Paterson
BFA 1997, GradDipTchg (Primary) 2000 (Arts and Education)

Reuben Paterson (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Scottish) is an artist known for his signature use of glitter. His works include sculptures, paintings, installations and animations. For nearly three decades, he has exhibited nationally and internationally at venues including Christie’s, New York; Cambridge University of Anthropology and Archaeology, England; the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia; the Institute of Contemporary Art, Winnipeg, Canada; and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. He has completed numerous international residencies and was named a 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate.
 

Young Alumnus of the Year
Moses Mackay
BMus 2011 (Arts and Education)

Moses Mackay is a Samoan New Zealand composer, recording artist and classically trained baritone. A founding member of the multi-platinum trio SOL3 MIO, he has performed on international stages and helped shape one of New Zealand’s most successful musical acts. Alongside his operatic career, Moses is an independent artist whose work blends classical tradition with soul and cinematic storytelling, exemplified by his 2023 solo album Grace, which debuted at #1 in New Zealand. Moses is a recipient of the Dame Malvina Major Opera Excellence Award.