Editorial: Hunt on for Bay's best

Craig McDougall was the inaugural Hawke's Bay Today Person of the Year winner in 2013.

We're on the hunt for greatness.

The previous likes of which include a boxing coach, a children's physician and a businessman - so who will take out the Hawke's Bay Today Person of the Year for 2016?

Now in its fourth instalment, the annual end-of-year celebration is a great lead in to the festive mood and to boot is a glowing endorsement of someone we think deserves his or her name in lights.

The inaugural 2013 title was clinched by Flaxmere Boxing Academy head coach Craig McDougall, while Children's Commissioner and paediatrician Dr Russell Wills was the 2014 winner.

Last year managing director of Emmerson Transport and philanthropist Ian Emmerson claimed the honour.

So what are the criteria?

Perhaps someone who has made a significant contribution to the Hawke's Bay community in terms of charity, fundraising or other non-profit organisation, or someone who has achieved remarkable success in their chosen business, career or sport.

Maybe a local who has demonstrated courageous or heroic actions.

For many it's been a tough year, and from a newspaper's perspective it's a privilege to be able to round off the year on a salutary note.

A judging panel to choose the eventual winner will be confirmed soon.

As of today, we're asking for nominations. These can be emailed to news@hbtoday.co.nz with a few sentences explaining why you have chosen to nominate that person.

We'll announce the 2016 Hawke's Bay Today Person of the Year before Christmas.

We'll again handle the hard yards (like choosing an eventual winner) and leave the easy task of nominating to you. So, go on, get nominating!