Charity hospital founder named NZer of year

Fairfax Media

TOP EFFORT: Philip Bagshaw has been named New Zealander of the Year by North and South magazine.

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Christchurch surgeon and humanitarian Philip Bagshaw has been named North and South magazine's New Zealander of the Year.

Bagshaw is the driving force behind Canterbury's Charity Hospital, which opened in August.

New Zealanders cut from hospital waiting lists and unable to afford insurance or private health care are treated at the hospital by volunteer medical staff.

As well as his Charity Hospital work, Bagshaw works on medical research, teaching at Otago University's Christchurch School of Medicine, and surgery at Christchurch Hospital.

He is married to GP Sue Bagshaw, who is the dynamo behind another innovative Canterbury health project, a free youth centre.

Other category winners were:

Arts and entertainment: Comedy duo Flight of the Conchords.
Science: University of Auckland professor and chair of organic and medicinal chemistry Margaret Brimble.
Sport: Single sculler Mahe Drysdale.
Environment: Gretchen Schubeck of EcoMatters Environment Trust at Waitakere City.
Community: Louise Nicholas and investigative journalist Phil Kitchin.
Education: Scientist Paul Callaghan for his crusade to demystify scientific theory and jargon.
Business: Dave Macfarlane of Design Mobel sustainable furniture makers.
IT and communications: Rhonda Kite of the movie dubbing computer business Voice Q.
Everyday Heroes: Auckland nurse Marianne Whittington who has done 11 aid missions to countries like Afghanistan, Sudan, Kenya and Angola.
Young Achiever: 18-year-old Buxton Leutulava, who has come back from rheumatic fever and heart surgery to pursue a hugely promising rugby career.

-NZPA