NZer of the year awards: Bruce Twaddle, Head of Orthopaedic Trauma, Auckland Hospital

It began as the story of a single surgeon taking a stand on a single issue of patient care. It has become an inspiration. Orthopaedic surgeon Bruce Twaddle told the Herald in October he was disappointed with the number of beds in his ward at the $200 million new Auckland City hospital.

"It comes down to a lack of beds in the new hospital to accommodate the population it needs to service," he said. "The restriction of resources that we will continue to face compromises the care we can give to our patients."

Hospital managers spat the dummy at such criticism and threatened disciplinary action, but colleagues and the public swung in behind Twaddle. To his patients - and others frustrated by Auckland's management - he became a hero.

Hospital staff say since his stand he was become a symbol of resistance; someone who finally said "this far and no further" on budget cuts. It has re-energised medical staff and had implications at every budget meeting and discussion group since.