Dorothy Spotswood

Dame Dorothy Myrtle Spotswood (born ) is a New Zealand philanthropist, donating to health and disability causes over a more than fifty-year period. In December 2025, she was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to philanthropy.

Biography Spotswood was born in . She has been a philanthropist, donating to health and disability causes over a more than fifty-year period. Spotswood purchased land and funded the building of houses in Kāpiti for people with intellectual disabilities, where the Dorothy Spotswood Village is named after her, working with the Hōhepa Trust. Through the Nikau Foundation, Spotswood and Dunajtschik have a provided for a 'significant' legacy donation.

Honours and awards

Spotswood and Dunajtschik were awarded the New Zealand Legacy Award at the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. In the 2026 New Year Honours, Spotswood was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to philanthropy. The couple have no children.