Napier's David Bateman was surprised to learn that he had been nominated for an award, let alone had won the bravery and heroism category.
The judges said if it had not been for David, two people would not be with us today.
"It's very overwhelming and incredibly humbling," Mr Bateman said.
Jim Edwards, who uses waka therapy to reconnect the hearts and minds of the disabled, was humbled to be given the lifetime achievement award.
"I feel very good right now," Mr Edwards said.
His grandsons performed an emotional haka as Mr Edwards accepted his award.
James Edwards, 22, said he is immensely proud of his grandfather.
"It was a privilege to bear witness to. I'm so proud to be his namesake.
"He deserves it, he does so much for the community."
Shaun Rankin was awarded the Community Spirit award but was unable to attend the ceremony.
He offers free boxing and fitness classes to children in some of Hawke's Bay's poorest areas.
Judges credited Shaun for turning his life around to the point where he is now a positive role model for local children.
Last night's awards celebrated finalists from Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui and Wellington. There were 18 Hawke's Bay people nominated for awards this year.
The Pride of New Zealand Awards are supported by the New Zealand Herald and APN regional newspapers, with The Hits radio station and TSB Bank.
Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin said the paper strives to be a part of and reflect our community.
"We are involved in a number of events and charities. When you work for a regional newspaper like ours, you soon get to hear about and meet many people who do good work in our communities," Mr Austin said.
He said many of these people, including all our finalists, simply do what they do without wanting any reward or recognition.
"They are true unsung heroes," he said. "We all love a good news story and they don't get better than these awards."
The national award winners will be selected from the regional award winners by a panel of esteemed judges, including NZME chief executive officer Jane Hastings, TSB Bank chief executive officer Kevin Murphy, Sir Peter Leitch and basketball legend Dillon Boucher.
Voting for the TSB Bank's People's Choice Award will commence on Monday, August 17, with the winner from the public vote announced at the national Pride of New Zealand Awards ceremony on the evening of September 16.
This person will also receive $10,000 from TSB Bank to go towards their chosen cause.
Award Winners
Lifetime achievement: Jim Edwards, Hastings
Jim Edwards wanted a change after 21 years at the Whakatu Freezing Works. When the works closed he took the opportunity to do something different and for more than 25 years he has been helping disabled people find confidence and succeed.
He is owner and operator of Nga Tukemata o Kahungunu, a service which helps people badly affected by strokes and other accidents reconnect their hands and minds. For a decade he and wife Marie survived on $125 a week while he volunteered his time to help others and built a waka to be used as part of the therapy he provided, as well as education.
His goal is to help individuals from all cultures and walks of life.
Bravery and heroism: David Bateman, Napier
David Bateman did not hesitate as he plunged into the water to help a father and daughter struggling in big swells.
Although he claims the successful rescue was mostly down to luck, others have labelled his actions heroic.
The Whirinaki local was out on the quad bike with family on February 7 when he noticed three boys standing on the shore alone.
He jumped off his quad bike, ripped off his hat, shirt and glasses and dived into the water.
Without the intervention of Mr Bateman there would be two people not with us today.
Environment: Allan Anderson, Wanganui
The Wanganui conservationist has been working with a native bird sanctuary for more than 40 years.
Since 1996 he has given on average 30 hours per weeks of unpaid voluntary work to the park, which is a 100ha reserve of native forest 25km north-west of Wanganui.
Mr Anderson managed to raise $50,000 to facilitate the translocation of 44 very rare hihi birds to the park.
He believes he has been a member of Forest and Bird longer than anyone in New Zealand, and he has always been interested in conservation.
Fundraiser of the Year: Mike Dawes, Upper Hut
The Wellingtonian founded the IT Heavy Hitters charity boxing match which raises between $30,000 and $40,000 per event for the Key to Life Trust, which focuses on mental health support.
In 2013, Mr Dawes' friend and boxing mentor, Doug McLay, committed suicide.
The tragedy spurred Mr Dawes to raise awareness around depression and suicide through putting on boxing matches. The events are aimed at getting IT professionals out of the office and into the ring to promote health, fitness and mental wellbeing, while encouraging fundraising. Mr Dawes is also a fulltime IT professional, volunteer firefighter and a dad.
Next year he hopes to raise $50,000.
Emergency services: Peter Knight, Pahiatua
A police officer for 17 years and volunteer fire fighter at the Pahiatua Brigade for the past five years.
He strives to make himself as useful to the brigade as possible through continued training.
The judges said Peter is a real asset to his community and applaud his attitude.
Community spirit: Shaun Rankin, Napier
Shaun Rankin offers free boxing and fitness classes to children in some of Hawke's Bay's poorest areas.
He also teaches free, weekly boxing classes to children in lower income areas like Maraenui and Camberley.
He was able to draw on his own turbulent past in his approach to teaching fitness.
Mr Rankin moved to the region from Auckland five years ago and completed sports and recreation studies at the EIT.
"I'm trying to be a good role model for them. Kids have got a lot to offer and I like training them, I like seeing them happy."
