Taking home the award for her key role in the revitalisation of Te Reo, Professor Higgins is the first female chairperson of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) and chaired a review of the Māori Language Bill.
Described in her award citation as a tireless advocate for Te Reo, Professor Higgins has held other governance roles related to the Māori language, including Te Māngai Pāho (the Māori language broadcasting funding agency) and Te Mātāwai (the independent statutory body to support te reo Māori in communities).
The Wellingtonian of the Year Awards were started in 1989 to celebrate achievements and contributions across all sectors of the greater Wellington community.
Professor Gavin Painter from the Ferrier Institute, Emeritus Professor Peter Walls, School of Social and Cultural Studies lecturer Dr Lorena Gibson, and students Lewis Clareburt and Brad Olsen were all finalists in their categories.