MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release
2 March 2012

New Zealand’s Local Heroes Medal Presentations Announced

Almost 150 Local Heroes from throughout New Zealand have been recognised with Kiwibank Local Heroes Medals as part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards 2012.

The Kiwibank Local Heroes Medals recognise and celebrate everyday New Zealanders who, across their various endeavors, have made outstanding contributions to their own communities.

The presentation of the Local Heroes Medals will take place in 12 regions around the country throughout March at special events attended by supporters of the recipients, local government representatives, community leaders and dignitaries.

The medalists are local champions, leaders and servants; they are fundraisers, campaigners, volunteers and caregivers. They have helped set up charitable foundations, worked tirelessly to assist those with disabilities, supported community groups, provided social services and reached out to those in need. Ultimately, they are people whose daily commitment and sacrifices make our communities and our country an amazing place to live.

Emma Mcdonald, National Awards Manager for the New Zealander of the Year Awards, has been impressed with the calibre of Local Heroes medal recipients in 2012.

“Many of these medal winners are unsung heroes whose charity and selflessness are not only inspirational locally but often have a profound effect provincially or nationally. We have received a fantastic response from across New Zealand from those who have been touched in some way by a Local Hero and we’re proud to be able to reward those mentors and role models for their service both to their community and to New Zealand as a whole.”

Local Heroes Medal recipients were nominated by members of the public last year and the hundreds of nominations then went through a rigorous regional judging process at which the medal recipients were determined.

Henare O’Keefe of Flaxmere, Hastings was named as the overall national winner of the Kiwibank Local Heroes Award 2012 at the New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala Awards Presentation dinner in February. He was recognised for his extraordinary work in turning the lives of troubled youth around and the prevention of domestic violence. Henare will be sharing his experience and vision for transforming troubled youth in New Zealand at the Taupo Local Heroes Presentation on Wednesday 14th March as a guest speaker.

The New Zealander of the Year Awards are proudly sponsored by Kiwibank, Mitre 10, Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand and Countdown.

Ends

• All media are welcome to attend the presentations
• The presentations are a free public / community event and all are welcome by confirming attendance to info@nzawards.org.nz
• Interviews and photos with recipients can be arranged on request
• A regionalised PR will be emailed to local media approx. 3 days prior to each award presentation with brief profiles on recipients for the relevant region.

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