A Tauranga woman who has given thousands of people the skills and confidence to start their own businesses is this year's Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year.

Frances Denz, the Executive director of Stellaris in Gate Pa, received the award at the fifth annual New Zealander of the Year awards in Auckland on Wednesday night, for her leadership in business education.

Tauranga woman Frances Denz is Metlifecare's New Zealander of the Year.

Frances is joined by 2014 New Zealander of the Year, Dr Lance O'Sullivan, Coca Cola Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year Parris Goebel, Mitre 10 Community of the Year NZ Victim Support, Sanitarium Innovator of the Year Dr Sean Simpson and Kiwibank Local Heroes Awards Cecilia Sullivan-Grant.

Frances was shortlisted for the overall award but missed out on selection in the top three recipients.

'I'm very excited, I feel very honoured. I've been in business all of my life,” says Frances.

'It's so affirming. It's also for my clients who have me there to encourage them, but they do all of the hard work.”

Chief judge Cameron Bennett congratulates all six outstanding award recipients.

'All the winners and finalists are examples of our nation at its very best.”

A former Trustee of Disabled Distributors and national manager of Ready Willing and Able, Frances has helped more than 4000 people, many with disabilities, start businesses since 1986.

Frances was the founding chairperson of the Women's Loan Fund Trust and is an accomplished writer, publishing 13 works so far. Her book Women at the Top, published in 2009, was written for aspiring female directors and Able to Do Business – a business guide for people with disabilities.

She is also involved with Priority One – an economic development joint venture between Tauranga City Council businesses and philanthropic organisations.

Since 2011, Frances has been a director of Tauranga Chamber of Commerce and has also been involved with Rotorua Chamber of Commerce. Her efforts have seen her awarded a Provisionally Accredited Director for the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

An NZQA registered training and ACC rehabilitation provider and provider of business mentoring for Te Puni Kokiri from 2005, Frances was made a Member of NZ Order of Merit for services to business and was last year awarded the prestigious Tertiary teaching Excellence Award.

'I've done a lot of things over the years which made change happen...by not accepting that you can't do it,” says Frances.

'If someone says I can't do something, I find another way of doing it.”

The annual New Zealander of the Year awards recognises, encourages, celebrates and rewards Kiwi's contributions from all walks of life.

Nearly 250 nominations were received for the 2014 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.

Previous winners are 2013 New Zealander of the Year Dame Anne Salmond, 2013 winner Sir Richard Taylor, 2011 winner Sir Paul Callaghan and 2010 winner Sir Ray Avery.