Former Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce are frontrunners for the 2018 New Zealand of the Year Awards. Photo: NZMEAn Australian politician with links to Otago has become an unexpected, and hilarious, frontrunner for New Zealander of the year. Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who recently renounced his New Zealand citizenship, received the second most nominations for 2018 New Zealand of the Year Awards. Despite, or perhaps because of recent controversy, Dunedin-based former Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei received the most nominations, meaning both frontrunners have Otago links. At first it was throught Mr Joyce's father was born in Dunedin, but the Otago Daily Times later revealed he was from North Otago town of Hampden and still has relations in the town.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 25, 2017 00:22 UTC