Pride of NZ: Estuary guardian Sue Morris

Sue Morris has been nominated for her environmental work as the chairwoman of the Uretara Estuary Managers. Photo / George Novak

Seven years of volunteering her time to care for the local environment has earned Katikati woman Sue Morris a nomination for the annual Pride of New Zealand Awards.

The chairwoman for the Uretara Estuary Managers spends about 20 hours a week working on a range of projects and co-ordinating with local councils and groups. The group aims to manage and improve the estuary and its catchment downstream from Katikati.

Since the group's inception in 2004, as a response to a growing silence from native birds, projects in the area have included baiting for rodents during the nesting season, controlling weeds and planting native plants, restoring stream banks to reduce siltation and controlling mangrove spread.

Mrs Morris said it was "all about a fantastic group of people".

"A lot of the things they're involved in are a passion of mine - looking after the environment - and they're a group of friendly and like-minded people."

She had always been an outdoors person and was a farmer before moving to Katikati 12 years ago.

Her voluntary work was about sustaining and improving the Earth, she said.

"What sustains us is the air we breathe and the water we drink ... the Earth sustains us so if we don't look after it it's to the detriment of everyone.

"It's about looking after it and preserving it."

Mrs Morris was very humbled by the nomination.

"I'm speechless. I'm very grateful someone's put my name forward but it's through the good work of the group," she said.

The Pride of New Zealand Awards are proudly brought to you by The New Zealand Herald, The Hits and TSB Bank.
Nominations for the 2015 awards have now closed.
To see more stories of our wonderful nominees click here.
For more information on the awards go to the official website.