Mayor Stuart Crosby has challenged residents to make the 2016 New Zealander of the Year a Tauranga local.
Nominations for the prestigious award, and supporting categories, opened last month and will close on September 30.
The Mayor urged Tauranga residents to start thinking about who in the community would be a deserving New Zealander of the Year.
"As Mayor, I get to see ordinary people doing exceptional things for our community every day.
"Whether it's the volunteer, high-achiever, or someone who went the extra mile to help others - these are real people displaying real acts of kindness. These people are the pillars of our community. They represent the best of us and make Tauranga a much better place to live in.
"There are plenty of fine individuals in our community who would be deserving recipients of the New Zealander of the Year Award. It's time we honoured their deeds by showing the rest of New Zealand just how proud we are of them."
Now in their seventh year the New Zealander of the Year Awards are the ultimate recognition of people's service to New Zealand, nominated by New Zealanders. Any member of the public can nominate an individual or community organisation for an award.
In addition to the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, awards will also be presented to New Zealanders who have performed with distinction in five additional award categories.
• University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year
• Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year
• Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year
• Sanitarium New Zealand Innovator of the Year
• Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year
Previous winners of the New Zealander of the Year Award are: Sir Stephen Tindall (2015), Dr Lance O'Sullivan (2014), Dame Anne Salmond (2013), Sir Richard Taylor (2012), Sir Paul Callaghan (2011) and Sir Ray Avery (2010).
Nominations for the 2016 New Zealander of the Year Awards can be made until 30th September 2015 through completing the online nomination form or requesting an information brochure from the Awards Office at info@nzawards.org.nz or by free phoning 0508 692 927.
The 2016 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year will be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards in Auckland on 18 February 2016.
More information on the 2016 New Zealander of the Awards is at www.nzawards.org.nz.