These two awards will celebrate the success of outstanding educators in tertiary education and honour the legacy of two people who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of literacy and numeracy education in Aotearoa New Zealand:

The New Zealand Numeracy Educator Award |Te Tohu Kaiako Pāngarau o Aotearoa

Dedicated to New Zealand educator Dr Judy Paterson.

The New Zealand Literacy Educator Award |Te Tohu Kaiako Reo Matatini o Aotearoa

Dedicated to New Zealand educator Dr Sue Dymock.

Nominate a kaiako/educator

Nominations for the 2025 Awards are now open.

Nominations close at 5 pm on 30 June 2025.

Nominees must be educators in a tertiary education environment who teach or embed literacy and/or numeracy, or who support learners in their literacy/numeracy development. This can include kaiako, tutors, employers, learning support staff, lecturers, teachers, trainers, facilitators and mentors.

Nominators are required to inform the person they want to nominate and seek their consent to be nominated.

Ako Aotearoa will host an online event on International Literacy Day, 8 September 2025, to announce the award winners and celebrate their achievements.

Visit the Literacy and Numeracy Educator Awards Criteria page for further information, or to download a PDF version of the form.