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Sir Alan Mark named 2025 BLAKE Medallist alongside eight other inspiring BLAKE Leadership awardees
Media Release | News
November 14, 2025

Emeritus Professor Sir Alan Mark has been awarded the the BLAKE Medal to acknowledge and celebrate his outstanding contribution to New Zealand as a leading plant ecologist, lifelong environmentalist, and champion of science-based conservation which has helped protect and conserve some of Aotearoa’s most significant landscapes.

Eight BLAKE Leader awardees have been announced across seven categories in a renewed format which focuses solely on environmental leadership, and for the first time includes a ‘group award’ in a new category dedicated to celebrating a school that demonstrates environmental leadership and impact through education.

This year’s award recipients are:

These awards are presented to inspirational New Zealanders whose environmental leadership has delivered high impact results and contributed to a more sustainable future for Aotearoa.

Sarah-Jane Blake, daughter of Sir Peter Blake, presented the medal and awards in Hamilton at The Pā, which forms part of the University of Waikato, last night, (Thursday 13 November).

As an artist, performance designer, and adventurer, Sarah-Jane says it’s great to see how New Zealanders are driving environmental change in their respective careers and projects.

“There are so many mediums which can raise awareness about the challenges our planet faces. This group of awardees brings together people from completely different spheres, but everyone’s played to their strengths in an inspiring effort to make a real, tangible difference.”

James Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of BLAKE, says Sir Alan has shown exceptional commitment to conservation efforts in New Zealand over a lifetime of research, advocacy, and leadership, spanning more than seven decades to help protect some of Aotearoa’s most protected landscapes.

“His lifetime devotion to nature conservation is truly inspiring, as is his passion for ensuring the next generation is equipped with the knowledge, tools and resources to continue advocating for our natural landscapes,” he says.

The refreshed categories for this year’s BLAKE Awards mean there is comprehensive recognition of qualities in the environmental sector.

“This sets the BLAKE Awards apart from other ceremonies in a way which continues Sir Peter Blake’s legacy in shaping the way New Zealander’s think about the environment,” Gibson says.

The BLAKE Awards not only honor outstanding leaders, but they also serve as a catalyst to inspire future generations.

ENDS

Notes to Editors – Awardee Biographies

Sir Alan Mark (2025 BLAKE Medallist) – Dunedin

Emeritus Professor Sir Alan Francis Mark is a leader in conservation in Aotearoa, with a particular focus on our alpine environments and indigenous tussock grasslands. As a founding member and chairperson of the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau in 1973, Sir Alan’s leadership was a strong force in the appropriate regulation of lake levels.

He has also been involved in protecting areas like the Denniston Plateau, and various areas in the South Island High country.

Sir Alan’s expertise in Botany and Plant Ecology meant that he could bring a rigorous scientific eye to decision making, and this led him to many other leadership positions, including as president of Forest & Bird, being on the Scientific Advisory Committee, Mt Aspiring National Park Board, a member of the Fiordland National Park Board, the Otago Catchment Board, and as a research advisor for the Miss E.L. Hellaby Indigenous Grasslands Research Trust. Sir Alan has been a strong advocate for the protection of New Zealand’s indigenous tussock grassland.

Sir Alan Mark has often linked scientific research with conservation efforts and was knighted in 2009 for services to conservation.

Riley Hathaway (2025 BLAKE Leader: Rangatira mō āpōpō/Young Leader) – Snells Beach, Auckland

Riley Hathaway is just 24, yet she has already spent over 11 years helping to raise awareness of the beauty of the moana in Aotearoa and beyond. She’s encouraging children to love it and to be kaitiaki, so that future generations can enjoy the moana too. She is part of the father and daughter team who started Young Ocean Explorers.

Young Ocean Explorers was set up in 2013 after a school project about turtles and plastic sparked the idea to create a series of short videos for children about the ocean. These were screened on TV’s ‘What Now’ and are still used in snippets on their social channels today.

Riley went on to deliver a TED talk at age 14, film many more videos, create an ocean related book with her dad, develop lesson plans for schools, collaborate with like-minded organisations, and become a prominent figure for ocean advocacy. She now speaks to thousands of students in schools every year with the aim of connecting children to the ocean.  Their online platform is used in schools and classrooms nationwide.

Riley has worked closely with teachers to plan and present the 21-day challenge – a set of fully planned lessons which aligns with the curriculum to help teachers empower tamariki to make a difference for the ocean. This has reached thousands of primary and intermediate aged children from across the motu.

Claire Roper (2025 BLAKE Leader: Metlifecare Poutoko Hapori/Community) – Kapiti Coast

Claire Roper is building a generation of eco-conscious young entrepreneurs in Otaki.

Since launching the Otaki Kids Market in 2023, the mum-of-three from the Kapiti Coast has helped over 600 children learn business basics through a dedicated market space which encourages youth to be mindful of their products, production methods, and environmental impact.

The market has become a launchpad to get young entrepreneurs involved in other regional markets, and inspires kids to be resourceful, which Claire says is more important than ever in a world filled with mass-produced items and online shopping.

She’s collaborated with other community groups and organisations to boost the initiative, and plans to take the model nationwide, motivated by the passion and positive impact she sees with each market.

Michael Eaglen (2025 BLAKE Leader: Pakihi Auaha/Business) – Auckland

Michael Eaglen is a New Zealand-based naval architect and engineer renowned for his leadership in the maritime decarbonisation movement. As the CEO and co-founder of EV Maritime, he is at the forefront of developing zero-emission electric ferries to transform urban water transport.

Under Michael’s leadership, EV Maritime focuses on creating high-performance, battery-electric ferries that are cost-effective, reliable, and scalable, aiming to decarbonise harbor cities worldwide. They have developed the EVM200, a 200-passenger, 25-knot electric ferry capable of carrying up to 200 passengers. The first of these vessels was recently launched in Auckland, with the second boat under construction.

Michael’s vision extends beyond local initiatives; he aims to help shipyards globally transition to electric ferry manufacturing and supports governments and operators in adopting these technologies with confidence.

Emeritus Professors Steve Dawson and Liz Slooten (BLAKE Leader: Pūtaiao/Science) – Whangaroa

Steve Dawson and Liz Slooten have been a team for over 35 years and have made immense individual and collective contributions to marine science, especially in the field of marine mammal biology.

Liz and Steve’s research leadership has initiated, established, and continues to produce important scientific evidence related to Hector’s dolphins at Banks Peninsula, Bottlenose dolphins in Fiordland, and Sperm whales in Kaikoura.

Their extensive research and advocacy of Hector’s and Maui dolphins underpin the current year-round gillnet-free zone mammal sanctuary in Banks Peninsula. The dramatic reduction in fishing pressure in this zone benefits not just the dolphins but the entire marine ecosystem. Steve and Liz remain strong advocates for further conservation measures.

Together they have created many opportunities for postgraduate research students and have published hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific publications, numerous books and photographs. They have served in a variety of important leadership roles both for scientific organisations and in conservation, and their work has led to important changes to the management and conservation of taonga marine mammal species.
Nikora Ngaropo (BLAKE Leader: Whakakakau/Communication) – Hamilton

Nikora Ngaropo is a digital animator on a mission to give back to his community.

Through programmes like Young Animators and Toro Academy, Nikora has introduced over 10,000 rangatahi to digital storytelling, and says it’s not just a technical skill, but a way to preserve whakapapa, identity, and connection to the whenua.

He’s passionate about giving young people, specifically from Māori and Pasifica backgrounds, the confidence to find their purpose working in the industry too.

Nikora bridges the connection between learning, technology, and the environment through rural workshops, and is taking his concepts global, with the aim to empower indigenous communities all around the world.

Sally Carson (BLAKE Leader: Mātauranga/Education) – Dunedin

After a lifetime of studying coastlines and rocky shores, Sally Carson still gets a buzz out of watching others fall in love with their marine environments.

She’s one of Aotearoa’s greatest marine science educators, and has engaged with thousands of people, especially young people, over three decades leading the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre in Otago.

Her work has spanned numerous marine education projects, notably the Aquavan (a travelling programme) and Marine Meter Squared, a national citizen science project on long term monitoring of New Zealand’s seashore.

Sally’s influence and impact has created a legion of marine conservation ambassadors who are inspiring the next generation to connect with their coastlines.

Stratford Primary School (Ngā Kura/Schools Award) – Taranaki

Stratford Primary School is a Taranaki Enviro School which has made sustainability simply part of “who they are”.

With gardens, orchards, bug hotels, chickens and bees, the school is dedicated to having outdoor learning spaces which give students purpose while learning about the importance of reducing their carbon footprint.

Over the years this has contributed to positive learning outcomes in the classroom as well, and they have built a community network where teachers and staff feel supported, and students feel empowered.