Dr Siouxsie Wiles named 2021 New Zealander of the Year

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Auckland University associate professor and microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles has been named 2021 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.

Microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles, one of the public faces of the Covid-19 response, has been named New Zealander of the Year.

Wiles, an associate professor at Auckland University, received the award from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at a gala dinner at the Cordis hotel in Auckland on Wednesday.

Impossible to miss with her trademark pink hair, Wiles has played a key role in helping the public understand the science behind the Covid-19 pandemic and analysing its impact on the country.

Wiles, who also runs Auckland University's Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, was presented with the Kiwibank kaitaka huaki cloak, Pouhine, by 2020 New Zealander of the Year, actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

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Wiles was named supreme winner at the Stuff-Westpac Women of Influence Awards last year.

Miriama Kamo, patron of the awards, said Wiles “undeniably fits the bill” the awards celebrating people who use their passion to make New Zealand a better place.

During last year’s lockdown Wiles stepped up and helped “millions globally see past the fear and complexities of the pandemic”, Kamo said.

Wiles had joined forces with Spinoff cartoonist Toby Morris and worked to make the science and pandemic clear and understandable.

“Her work provided support, strength and clarity across New Zealand and beyond, representing our country on a world stage and helping to keep us safe.”

The citation for the award said Wiles had faced considerable criticism, “on her authority, on her appearance, on her gender”.

Dr Siouxsie Wiles, a microbiologist from the University of Auckland, has consistently provided Kiwis with information, breakthroughs and assurances throughout the pandemic. Here’s what she knows about the virus and why it spread across the globe so

“Siouxsie’s continued to respond to one of the greatest challenges of our time with empathy, innovation and courage, and her work has been seen by millions and even used by governments and organisations as part of their official pandemic communications.”

Wiles was named supreme winner at the 2020 Stuff-Westpac Women of Influence Awards for her accessible and evidence-led commentary about staying safe during the pandemic.

Outside her work on Covid-19, she is a passionate and influential leader in her industry.

“Her willingness to break down barriers has opened doors for women in science, and her pioneering work in bioluminescence is redefining modern medicine,” Kamo said.

Other 2021 finalists included Muslim community leader Farid Ahmed, who has become a symbol of forgiveness following the March 15 terror attacks, and Ranjna Patel, founder and director of Tāmaki Health and domestic violence prevention campaigner.

Wiles studied medical microbiology at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a PhD in microbiology at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Oxford.

She spent almost a decade at Imperial College London before moving to New Zealand as a Health Research Council Hercus Fellow in 2009.

Wiles and her team at Auckland University made bacteria glow in the dark to understand how infectious microbes caused disease, and to find new antibiotics.

Passionate about demystifying science, she has won numerous prizes for her efforts, and is a prolific tweeter, blogger, podcaster and science commentator.

In 2017, Wiles published her first book, Antibiotic Resistance: the End of Modern Medicine?, and recently collaborated with her daughter to make a children’s show about microbiology.

One of three finalists for New Zealander of Year in 2018, a year later she was appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to microbiology and science communication.

Other New Zealanders honoured across five categories at the 2021 awards include:

University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau: Co-founder of Voices of Hope and mental health advocate, Jazz Thornton (Auckland)
Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau: Medical academic and author, Dr Doug Wilson (Taupō)
Trade Me New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau: Founder and Director of Tāmaki Health and domestic violence prevention campaigner, Ranjna Patel (Auckland)
Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau: Christchurch Mosque Victims Group: Supporting people and victims affected by the mosque attacks
Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau: Environmental Engineer at Waka Huia Limited and Founder of Pūniu River Care, Shannon Te Huia (Waikato)