Kiri Swannell said she and husband Kevin were treating the awards as a family holiday. They had driven to Auckland in their eight-seater van with five of their six children. They were being put up in the Pullman Auckland Hotel and planned to visit Rainbow's End and Snowplanet.
"It's our first family holiday all together, so we're going to have loads of fun," she said.
Ms Swanell had never dreamed the family would make the national finals.
"It's all very overwhelming, actually."
The only winner in the lower North Island regional from outside the Bay was Wayne Stevens, of Wellington.
The national awards are judged by broadcaster Judy Bailey, Willie Apiata VC, Sir Peter Leitch, TSB Bank CEO Kevin Murphy and APN New Zealand CEO Jane Hastings.
Once the 24 regional award winners were named, the public was able to vote for their TSB Bank People's Choice winner. Voting closed last week, with more than 11,000 votes received.
Our national finalists
Community Spirit Award: The Swannell Family, Napier, for running a mobile soup kitchen for the homeless in Clive Square.
Bravery/Heroism Award: Wade Kelly, Hastings, for saving four people caught in a rip at Waimarama Beach.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Hai Tong Too, Napier, for being a key advocate for minority groups.
Environmental Award: Kathleen Mato, Wairoa, for her work as Whangawehi Catchment Management Group leader.
Fundraiser: Colin Anderson, Palmerston North, (formerly Dannevirke), who raised over $17,000 cycling for CanTeen.
