Pride of NZ: Efforts to save native falcon recognised

Wingspan's Debbie Stewart has been named a finalist in the environment category for the Pride of New Zealand Awards. Photo: Stephan Parker

Rotorua's Debbie Stewart is one of the unsung Kiwi heroes recognised as regional finalists for this year's Pride of New Zealand Awards.

The Pride of New Zealand Awards, sponsored by the New Zealand Herald, Rotorua Daily Post, The Hits radio station and TSB Bank, aim to celebrate those Kiwi volunteers, campaigners, fundraisers, caregivers and other heroic people who go above and beyond for others.

Ms Stewart, who runs Wingspan, is well known to the Rotorua community for her tireless efforts for the endangered karearea, or New Zealand falcon.

She is behind exciting projects like the On the Wing exhibition, which sees karearea in residence at the Government Gardens. For this, among her other conservation projects, she has been named one of three finalists for the Central North Island region in the environment category of the awards.

Ms Stewart said being named a finalist was a testament to the whole team at Wingspan.

"I only just got back after a very short and unusual holiday, and catching up on things and just saw in the emails, so I am quite speechless actually. I am humbled as well, but once more it's one for the team, and I think that's the wonderful thing about these sorts of initiatives, that while there might be one name on the list it's the result of a whole team. We present daily shows at Wingspan and extol the conservation values."

Opotiki's Janice Codlin is also a Central North Island finalist for the lifetime achievement award, for her 20 years of service to the Opotiki RSA.

She said she was still shocked by the news.

"I was dumbfounded. I would like to find out who nominated me. I am feeling nervous for the announcement of the winner but I am hoping for the best."

Voting for the TSB Bank's People's Choice Award opens on August 17, with the winner announced at the national Pride of New Zealand Awards ceremony on September 16.