Dr. Ashley Bloomfield gives a Covid-19 update following scares in Auckland, Wellington and the Waikato.
He's graced our TV screens since the daily Covid-19 briefings began way back in March, in what one Twitter user called "the most gripping TV series of the year".
He even landed a spot as a finalist in this year's NZ TV Awards' Personality of the Year category, up againstthe likes of TVNZ's Wendy Petrie and Hilary Barry.
But director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has declined the nomination because he's "not a TV personality".
His office said in a statement today that he was "humbled" to have been nominated.
"Given his primary role as a public servant and not a TV personality, he would like to step aside from being considered for the award," the statement reads.
"He wishes the candidates well and says he will be watching with interest on the night."
NZTV Awards officials supported his decision to withdraw from the nomination and thanked him for his work during the fight against Covid-19 alongside frontline workers and the Ministry of Health.
TVNZ's Hilary Barry, who's up for the same award, shared her disappointment on Twitter, writing: "Even I voted for Ashley."
