Kaitaia doctor Lance O'Sullivan is among 10 people in the running to be named New Zealander of the Year.
Dr O'Sullivan is one of 10 semifinalists in the 2014 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year awards, with other nominees including All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, top lawyer Mai Chen, former Christchurch mayor Bob Parker and Maori educator Dame Dr Iritana Tawhiwhirangi.
Dr O'Sullivan is also a nominee in the Kiwibank Local Heroes category of the awards, while Dargaville man Michael Mudford is a semifinalist in the Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year category.
This year began with Dr O'Sullivan being named Maori of the Year, followed by a Public Health award and a Sir Peter Blake Trust leadership award. The New Zealander of the Year winners are announced in February.
Awards chief judge Cameron Bennett said determining who would be the New Zealander of Year was a tough job for the judging panel.