Voting opens for Pride of New Zealand Awards

Shirley Sparks has been nominated for a Pride of New Zealand award in the environment category. Photo / George Novak

Voting has opened to find the choicest person in the Pride of New Zealand Awards.

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

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

There are 24 of New Zealand's 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 Blenhiem.

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 - aims to celebrate those Kiwi volunteers, campaigners, fundraisers, care givers and other heroic people who go above and beyond for others.

The Pride of New Zealand Awards can also be found on Facebook: PrideOfNZAwards and Twitter: @PrideOfNZ with people encouraged to Tweet using #prideofnz and #prideofnzawards.