Manuel José de Frutos Award
Celebrating the ties between Spain and New Zealand and the people who keep our culture alive.
Two centuries of history. A lasting legacy.
The Manuel José de Frutos Award was established by Kiwi Spanish Society to celebrate and strengthen cultural ties between Spain and New Zealand.
The award has two aims: to honour Manuel José de Frutos, regarded as the first Spaniard to arrive in Aotearoa nearly two centuries ago, who settled in the Gisborne area and whose legacy lives on through the Paniora family; and to recognise outstanding members of today’s Spanish community in New Zealand whose lives and contributions have built bridges between the two cultures.
The first ceremony took place in January 2025 at the Ellen Melville Centre in Auckland. The recipient was teacher Gloria Vázquez. Members of the Spanish community from Auckland and surrounding areas attended, alongside representatives of the Paniora family, with support from the Honorary Consulate of Spain in Auckland.
The Manuel José de Frutos Award aims to become an annual tradition, keeping this shared history alive while celebrating the contributions of people who enrich our community today.
Honouring the Paniora family
The Paniora family keeps Manuel José de Frutos’s legacy alive and plays a central role in the shared history of Spain and Aotearoa. Kiwi Spanish Society gratefully acknowledges their contribution to preserving this history, identity and the cultural connections that inspire the award.
Explore the Paniora family’s history ↗Gloria Vázquez
More than 30 years dedicated to education and teaching Spanish in New Zealand.
Gloria Vázquez received the inaugural Manuel José de Frutos Award in recognition of a lifetime devoted to teaching and promoting Spanish language and culture in New Zealand.
Her commitment to education, community life and sharing Spanish traditions has made her a dedicated ambassador for Spain in New Zealand.
The first ceremony at Auckland’s Ellen Melville Centre brought together the community and members of the Paniora family, with support from the Honorary Consulate of Spain in Auckland.
Ceremony photo gallery
Javier Yébenes Belmonte
Recognised for promoting Spanish culture and language in New Zealand.
The second Manuel José de Frutos Award recognised Javier Yébenes Belmonte for his contribution to promoting and sharing Spanish culture and language in New Zealand.
His initiatives include cultural and food events, storytelling in Spanish and the launch of New Zealand’s first Spanish-language magazine.
The ceremony held in Auckland in May 2026 brought the community together for speeches, food and a Spanish dance performance.