Jimi Higgins
Jimi Higgins is general manager of Mt Maunganui Lifesaving Club and Chair of Surfing New Zealand, elected at 22 to lead a sport with 330,000 recreational surfers.
He also chairs ParaFed Otago, creating sport and recreation opportunities for disabled people across the region.
Starting as a volunteer at South Coast Boardriders in Ōtepoti Dunedin, Jimi worked his way into regional and national governance.
In his first year as chair, Jimi helped bring two World Surf League events to Aotearoa.
He is SurfAid International's New Zealand ambassador and is passionate about giving rangatahi a genuine seat at the table.