Louise Nicholas has been named Anzac of the Year at a special presentation at Government House in Wellington this evening.
Louise Nicholas Photo: Facebook
The Governor General's Anzac of the Year Award is presented in association with the RSA.
Its aim is to recognise the Anzac spirit of extraordinary courage, compassion, comradeship and commitment in New Zealanders today.
The citation for the award said Ms Nicholas typified the ordinary person stepping up to do extraordinary things in the service of others.
It noted Ms Nicholas's personal history as a survivor of childhood and adult rape, which saw her challenge the police she alleged raped her, through two deposition hearings and five court cases.
Her complaint led to a full police investigation, "Operation Austin," and a Commission of Inquiry into police conduct.
Today, Ms Nicholas works with Rape Prevention Education as its National Survivor Advocate, and has also worked with the police, educating officers about sexual crime.
