Pride of NZ: Nominated for heroic rescue of two boys

Dudley Andrews is a finalist in the Bravery & Heroism category.

Kaitaia man Dudley Andrews is in the running for the Pride of New Zealand Award after his bravery in rescuing two boys from raging surf.

Voting for the TSB Bank's People's Choice Award opened yesterday, with the winner from the public vote to be announced at the national Pride of New Zealand Awards ceremony on the evening of September 16.

This winner will also receive $10,000 from TSB Bank to go towards their chosen cause.

There are 24 unsung heroes who have been chosen as finalists for the TSB Bank People's Choice Awards.

They have been selected in six categories.

Bravery & Heroism: Dudley Andrews of Kaitaia, Maurice Doyle and Rhys Humphries from New Plymouth, David Bateman of Napier and Angus Pauley from Blenheim.

Mr Andrews, 37-year-old former soldier, now a teacher at Kaitaia College, is nominated for saving 5-year-old Rex Haora Pairama and his 6-year-old cousin, Wiremu Bennett-Hati, from drowning at Waipapakauri Ramp on March 1.

Community Spirit: Laura Howard of Auckland, Avis Leeson from Hamilton, Shaun Rankin of Napier and Rebekah Malthus from Nelson.

Emergency Services: Liam Connolly of Wellsford, Billy Turner from Tairua, Peter Knight of Paihiatua and Maggie Houston from Hari Hari.

Environment: Rick Braddock of Auckland, Shirley Sparks from Tauranga, Allan Anderson of Wanganui and the Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Environment Trust trustees.

Fundraiser of the Year: Robbie Ritchie of Auckland, Ryan and Keri Topperwien from Whakatane, Mike Dawes of Upper Hutt and Debbs Moody from Hanmer Springs.

Lifetime Achievement: Joan Swift of Auckland, Sue Tukaki from Katikati, Jim Edwards of Hastings and Lois Heads from Edendale.

More information on the finalists can be found at www.prideofnzawards.co.nz - where votes can also be cast.

The Pride of New Zealand Awards - sponsored by the New Zealand Herald, The Hits radio station and TSB Bank.

They can also be found on Facebook: PrideOfNZAwards and Twitter: @PrideOfNZ with people encouraged to Tweet using #prideofnz and #prideofnzawards.NZME