Latest from Pride of New Zealand Awards

Pride of NZ Awards: Coastguard years began as dream of sea rescue

Nearly 40 years ago Iain Gulliford picked up his skipper's ticket and was able to fulfil his childhood dreams.

Pride of NZ Awards: Chronic disease led to funding battle

Last year Neil Woodhams was successful in convincing Pharmac to fund two new drugs which help slow MS's progress in 60 per cent to 70 per cent of cases.

Helping others 'enriches' life

Whanganui's Kathy Parnell did her first volunteer stint aged 8 at a St John fair.

Mum proves solo parents needn't be alone

Annika Rosandich, solo mother of two, sat down one day and created a Facebook page.

Flights of fancy a passion

Occasionally, Jacqui Knight stands at the front of a classroom and dons a hat which appears to have three butterflies hovering above it.

Pride of NZ: Widow gives her all

Voluntary efforts can go a long way in a small community such as Central Hawke's Bay and such contributions have resulted in Charmaine McGlone's nomination for an award this year.

Brass band leader hits right note

John Sullivan's father could no longer stand the sound of his son's poor instrument playing, John jnr was signed up for lessons and is still there, 38 years on.

Dedicated to kids on and off field

One-hundred and sixty-five students; 165 nicknames - Alec Campbell, Maniototo Area School's Deputy Principal, remembers them all.

Hero humbled at award nomination

Hunt for inspiring Kiwis on again

When Wade Kelly charged into the Hawkes Bay surf to rescue four people in trouble, earning hero status was the last thing on his mind.

Heroes make us proud

After hundreds of nominations and months of judging and voting, some of the country's top unsung heroes have been named winners of the inaugural Pride of New Zealand Awards.

They make you proud to be a Kiwi

Seven New Zealanders recognised for their extraordinary actions as winners of Pride of New Zealand Awards announced.

Ordinary people, extraordinary deeds

Winners of the first Pride of New Zealand Awards will be announced tonight at a special ceremony in Auckland.

Pride of NZ Awards: Scaling heights

Tihi Puanaki and Glenn Miller are finalists for the Pride of New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award.

24/7 dedication saves ambo service

The possibility of the small harbour town of Akaroa losing its only ambulance service was not an option for Jan Bourke, who stepped in to take over the local St John.

Men braved mid-winter water to rescue boy

If the four men who dived into a freezing Nelson creek to rescue a 2-year-old boy and his grandfather from a sinking car hadn't acted so quickly and heroically.

Pride of NZ: Quick thinking key to saving five from blaze

First aid training as a volunteer firefighter in New Zealand helped Buddy Harwood rescue five people trapped in a burning car in Canada.

Pride of NZ: Mobile soup kitchen fills the gap

Each week, Napier woman Kiri Swannell cooks a 60-litre pot of soup.