Bravery awards: The good samaritan who paid a terrible price

Austin Hemmings. Photo / Supplied

Austin Hemmings' bravery cost him his life, but nearly three years on from his death, his family believe he "did the right thing".

The father of three's selfless intervention in a downtown Auckland argument, which led to his being fatally stabbed, has been recognised with a posthumous NZ Bravery Star.

Brother Craig Hemmings said the family still tussled with Austin's decision to place himself in a dangerous situation. But he felt Austin - aged 44 when he died - would not have had it any other way.

"We would love to have him here still. I think about him every day. But it's a wonderful legacy and example for his children, all of our children, all of our friends and everyone we work with," Craig said.

"Doing this sort of thing is a part of New Zealand and who we are as a people - Austin is a reflection of that. He did the right thing all along."

Father Dick Hemmings said Austin's last actions were not reckless, or heroic.

"What he did was right. It was Austin ... doing unto others.

"Bravery is not so much being foolhardy but being prepared to do the right thing at the right time.

"He weighed the consequences up, and that's the way it went."

Despite his pride in his youngest son, Dick now tells his other offspring to take more care: "One's enough."

Austin Hemmings - who was named with Tony McClean as the Herald's New Zealanders of the Year in 2008 - was killed by Pauesi Brown in September that year on Mills Lane in Auckland. Last year, Brown was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 16-year non-parole period.

This week, the Court of Appeal rejected Brown's bid to have his minimum jail term reduced.

Mr Hemmings was leaving his work when he saw Brown threatening Dianne Nonu, a friend of Brown's former partner, and stepped in to allow her to escape.

Brown pulled a knife from under his sweatshirt and stabbed Mr Hemmings, before chasing Ms Nonu and assaulting her. He later pleaded guilty to murder.

The citation for the bravery award said it would have quickly become apparent to Austin that he risked assault and possible serious injury.

"At this point he probably could have left the scene, probably unharmed, but he deliberately put himself in danger and continued to protect Ms Nonu until he believed she had reached a place of safety.

"This outstandingly brave decision ultimately cost him his life."

Ms Nonu said after Brown was sentenced that she blamed herself for Mr Hemmings' death.

"I am sad that such an awesome man has passed but happy that actually he is looking down. I consider Austin one of my angels on a day-to-day basis and that Austin is watching over his family. When I hear the name Austin, I think of an angel."

Austin, an insurance broker and devout Christian, is survived by his wife, Jenny, and children Meghann, Jessica and Gareth.