New Zealander of the Year Awards closing soon

Dr Lance O'Sullivan was the recipient of the 2014 New Zealander of the Year Award. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

If you know a local legend doing great mahi, then you have just under a week to enter them into one of New Zealand's most prestigious awards.

The 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards nominations are open until Tuesday, August 31 and recognise Kiwis having a profound impact on their local region.

Te Hiku is full of remarkable local people and initiatives worth celebrating and appreciating.

One former Far North candidate was Kaitaia doctor Dr Lance O'Sullivan, who received the award in 2014.

O'Sullivan is a Māori doctor (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Maru) now based in Auckland, but who practised in Kaitaia for many years.

He was declared 2014 New Zealander of the Year for bringing health programmes to disadvantaged people in rural areas and for his overall contribution towards improving healthcare.

Other awards categories include Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero, University of Canterbury Young New Zealander, Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year, Trade Me New Zealand Innovator of the Year, Department of Conservation and Ministry for the Environment New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year and Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year.

If someone you know is deserving of a New Zealander (or NZ business/initiative/group) of the Year award, visit: www.nzawards.org.nz/nominate to nominate.

Entries close at 11.59pm, August 31.