Tony Howse (left), Maera Maki-Anderson, Jenny Edwards, Peter and Lorna Harwood representing Buddy Harwood, and Peter Blackwell. Absent: Julie King. Photo / George Novak
Tony Howse (left), Maera Maki-Anderson, Jenny Edwards, Peter and Lorna Harwood representing Buddy Harwood, and Peter Blackwell. Absent: Julie King. Photo / George Novak
Six heroes from the mid North Island have taken out regional Pride of New Zealand awards.
Buddy Harwood of Athenree, Peter Blackwell of Tauranga, Tony Howse of Whangamata, Julie King of Tokoroa, Maera Maki-Anderson of Murupara and Jenny Edwards of Whitianga were winners in their individual categories.
The awards ceremony was held at the Bay of Plenty Times last night to celebrate the finalists representing Taranaki, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.
A national awards ceremony to announce the overall category winners and the TSB Bank people's choice vote will be held in Auckland on September 10.
The former Athenree volunteer firefighter who now lives in Canada doesn't think twice before risking his life to save others wherever he is in the world.
Buddy Harwood from Athenree.
Mr Harwood, 20, (pictured left) was on his way to Whistler on June 7 when he saved a family of five from a burning car. He pulled two young boys, and their father, mother and grandfather out seconds before the car exploded behind him.
Mr Harwood and other bystanders performed CPR on the grandfather but he could not be saved. The rest of the family was airlifted to hospital.
Mr Harwood was in Canada and unable to attend the ceremony but his parents Peter and Lorna received the award on his behalf.
Peter Harwood said his son was disappointed he could not attend but would be thankful.
"I spoke to him about two weeks after the event, he said to me, "dad I had to do it, but I was so scared". This award means a lot."
Other finalist: Deane O'Connor, Tauranga
PETER BLACKWELL
Tauranga Fundraiser of the Year Award
The Mount Maunganui Detective Sergeant organised the first CIB Charity Auction 20 years ago but never dreamed it would raise almost $2 million in the coming years.
Mr Blackwell has headed the fundraising event since its inception and is hoping to go out with a bang after a final auction in October.
Since its humble start in 1995 when $200 was raised, the auction proceeds have increased each year. Last year's event raised $282,000.
Mr Blackwell said it was an honour to be nominated and receive the award.
"I receive this award on behalf of thousands of people in this town who believe in what we do."
Other finalists: Lea Thompson, Kaingaroa, Keri and Ryan Topperwein, Whakatane
TONY HOWSE
Whangamata Environmental Award
Tony Howse convinced a farmer in the Karangahake Gorge to donate just 5 per cent of its 100 acres to regenerate with native bush.
Since beginning his project, Mr Howse has convinced Bullswool Farm owner Sue Austen to invest in signs, essentially marketing the trees, and got Environment Waikato to help pay for seedlings.
He began his forest reserve by protecting the mature totara bordering a creek, which livestock had trampled for 30 years. Soon those tracks had been turned into metre-wide paths. Pest eradication came next; native birds returned, enticed by the plantings by passionate pupils.
"In the past, I've found that if you look after nature, it looks after you."
Other finalists: Taupo Bird Rescue, Taupo, Lance Talstra, Mount Maunganui
JULIE KING
Tokoroa Community Spirit Award
The legal-high campaigner did not celebrate a hard-won victory when synthetic cannabinoids were removed from shops. Instead, she began to think how she could help the addicts.
Julie King.
For 12 months she gathered national and worldwide support, culminating in mass marches through 23 centres. Her campaigning inspired her to start a soup kitchen service, Love Soup, which is expanding to other centres around the country.
Mrs King was unable to attend the awards, but judges said she displayed passion and commitment to Tokoroa Love Soup and demonstrated extraordinary community spirit.
"This whole journey has been so overwhelming. Because we live three hours from a hospital, I believe we make a difference to people in their cancer journey. I was in a state of shock when I first received advice about this and tonight has just been insurmountable."
Other finalists: Colin Smyth, Rotorua; Noel Hewlett, Whitianga.
MAERA MAKI-ANDERSON
Murupara Emergency Services Award
Maera Maki-Anderson has been credited with single-handedly saving a volunteer fire brigade.
Mrs Maki-Anderson, 46, has been the chief officer at the Murupara Volunteer Fire Brigade for 11 years.
When she learned the Kaingaroa Forest Volunteer Fire Brigade might close, she dedicated herself to saving it. She set up a Help Save Kaingaroa Fire Brigade page on Facebook, set up a recruitment drive and went door to door to drum up volunteers. She arranges training days and uses her free time to run extra sessions for those who can't make the regular training nights.
Mrs Maki-Anderson received her award with cheers from the crowd, many of whom were family and fellow fire crew members. She thanked her nominator, her team, her family, her partner and the community for their support.
"Big ups to my community and the community of Kaingaroa."
Other finalists: Shane Beech, Te Puke; Blair Gilbert, Rotorua
