True Kiwi Spirit recognised in Local Hero Medal recipients

MEDIA RELEASE – for immediate release

4 January 2012

True Kiwi Spirit recognised in Local Hero Medal recipients

Over 140 Local Hero medal recipients have been notified over the festive season that they are to receive a medal recognising their outstanding contribution to local communities around New Zealand.

The Kiwibank Local Heroes Medals recognise and celebrate everyday New Zealanders who, across their various endeavors, have made outstanding contributions to their own communities. Several hundred nominations were received and an extensive regional judging process has taken place awarding the medals to some very inspiring individuals.

The public presentation of the regional Local Heroes Medals will be held in fifteen locations around New Zealand throughout March 2012 at which the medal recipients, their families, supporters and nominators will be invited to attend.

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.

In addition ten of these Kiwibank Local Hero medal recipients have also been chosen as semi-finalists in the national Local Hero Award, the winner of which will be announced at the 2012 New Zealander of the Year Gala on the 16th February.

2012 Kiwibank Local Hero Semi-finalists:
Sam Johnson CHRISTCHURCH
Henare O'Keefe HASTINGS
Bernard Monk GREYMOUTH
Robert Shaw TANEATUA
Louise Roebuck NEW PLYMOUTH
Lyla Sherriff TUATAPERE
John Hartnell CHRISTCHURCH
Morgan Perry CHRISTCHURCH
Julie Bartlett AUCKLAND
Tristan Roberts KAIAPOI

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 2011.

“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,” says Mcdonald.

Billy Graham from Naenae in Wellington was named as the overall national winner of the Kiwibank Local Heroes Award last year. He was recognised for his extraordinary work creating programmes for at-risk youth.

The New Zealander of the Year Awards are proudly sponsored by Kiwibank, Mitre 10, Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand, Countdown. The three finalists in each category including the New Zealander of the Year will be announced publicly on the 16th January 2012.

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