Angel Awards 2026 Announced David Oliver recognised – Kotahitanga Award

The recipient of the Kotahitanga Award is David Oliver. David was named as the recipient of the award in recognition of his longstanding commitment to New Zealand’s early-stage ecosystem and his deeply collaborative approach to investing. A lead investor in OrbViz and Yarken, David is also an angel investor across a broad portfolio of startups, an investor in four Icehouse funds, and a limited partner and partner at Ascend Capital Partners, a venture capital firm focused on European technology companies. With more than 20 years’ experience in China — including as the first foreign employee at Alibaba — he brings global perspective and operational insight to every founder relationship.

Widely respected within the Canterbury investment community, David was one of the region’s most active angels prior to the establishment of Mainland Angels and has played a significant role in strengthening and transforming the Christchurch angel network. He is known for his hands-on board involvement with portfolio companies and his commitment to being accessible to founders, regardless of investment size. Passionate about growing New Zealand’s technology ecosystem and shifting perceptions around wealth creation, David has consistently championed startups as a pathway to innovation, impact and long-term economic growth.

“David Oliver truly embodies the spirit of the Kotahitanga Award. His generosity of time, insight and support has lifted not only the founders he directly works with, but the entire early-stage ecosystem in New Zealand. David doesn’t just invest capital — he invests in people, showing up as a mentor and sounding board. His leadership within the Canterbury angel community, his hands-on engagement with founders, and his commitment to strengthening networks like Mainland Angels have made a lasting impact. David’s contribution goes far beyond individual deals; he exemplifies the collaborative, long-term mindset that this award celebrates,” said Bridget Unsworth.

Richard Coon received the Arch Angel Award which was first awarded in 2009 to Sir Stephen Tindall. See separate release.

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For more information, please contact Bridget Unsworth, CEO Angel Association

mob: 021 555 563 or email: [email protected]

The Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ)

The Angel Association is an organisation that aims to increase the quantity, quality, and success of angel investments in New Zealand and in doing so create a greater pool of capital for innovative start-up companies. It was established in 2008 to bring together New Zealand angels and early-stage funds. AANZ currently has 50+ members representing over 900 individual angels associated with New Zealand’s key angel networks and funds. AANZ works closely with NZTE (New Zealand Trade and Enterprise), NZ Growth Capital Partners and MBIE and a number of private sector partners including PWC, Avid Legal, Hudson Gavin Martin, NZX and BNZ. For more, please visit: www.angelassociation.co.nz

The Kotahitanga Award recognises those people in the angel community who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry. It acknowledges those who have selflessly given personal time and energy for a sustained period and contributed to the professionalism, profile and reputation of angel investment in New Zealand.

Kotahitanga – ‘unity and a shared sense of working together’.