Three from Northland finalists in New Zealander of the Year awards

He Korowai Trust chief executive Ricky Houghton is one of 10 shortlisted for the 2018 New Zealand Local Hero of the Year award.

A Northlander and two organisations from the region are in the running for honours in categories in the New Zealander of the Year Awards.

He Korowai Trust chief executive Ricky Houghton is one of 10 shortlisted for the 2018 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year award and is the only Northlander to be a finalist in the six categories.

Far North GP Dr Lance O'Sullivan was named New Zealander of the Year in 2014.

Two Northland organisations - I Have A Dream, Whangarei, and Te Iwi O Te Roroa, Waipoua - are among 10 finalists in the Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year.

Mr Houghton has led He Korowai Trust in Kaitaia since the early 2000s, ensuring people are freed from adversity and given love, hope and a pathway to a better future.

He has saved more than 550 Far North homes from mortgagee sales, keeping 6400 vulnerable Kiwis housed. He has overseen services in justice and whanau development for 800-plus families, and created business enterprise worth $10 million, taking no personal profit.

The trust is about to set up SWEETAS (Students Without Education, Employment - Training, Achieving, Succeeding) to provide training, education, and eventually employment for young people in Kaitaia

I Have A Dream, Whangarei, inspires and enables Kiwi kids to achieve academic and life success. It has already helped 600 children achieve their goal of further education.

Te Iwi O Te Roroa are co-managers of the forest and runs the Waipoua Visitors Centre, which is the central hub for those wishing to explore our forest and experience the majesty of this special place in the world.

The winners of each category and the New Zealander of the Year will be announced in Auckland on February 22.