Editorial: Finalists for our Person of Year

Former Bay of Plenty Times Person of the Year winner Detective Sergeant Pete Blackwell. PHOTO/FILE

Dear readers,

I'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone who nominated contenders for Bay of Plenty Times Person of the Year 2014.

Nominations have been coming in over the past few weeks and it has been humbling to read about heroic deeds, how people give back to their community and the achievements others have made in life.

A panel of judges will on Monday decide the finalists from the full list of nominees. Joining me on this year's judging panel are The Hits radio host Will Johnston, and Olympic swimmer, Commonwealth Games silver medallist and Tauranga business owner Liz van Welie.

Profiles and photos of all finalists will be printed in Tuesday's paper and uploaded on to bayofplentytimes.co.nz the same day to allow people to vote for the person they believes deserves the honour.

The finalist with the highest number of votes will be named the Person of the Year people's choice winner.

The judges will then choose an overall winner who will take out the coveted title of Bay of Plenty Times Person of the Year 2014.

Tauranga policeman Pete Blackwell won the award in 2011 largely because of his role leading the annual Tauranga Police CIB Charitable Trust auction, which at the time had raised more than $1.25 million for the local community since 1995.

Peter Wyatt, who established, led or helped more than 20 trusts and community organisations in the Bay, won the award for his outstanding community contributions over the years, won it in 2012, shortly before his death.

Constable Deane O'Connor won the coveted award last year for saving the life of Maungatapu Bridge crash victim Ashley Donkersley.

This year's overall winner and people's choice winner will be revealed at a ceremony in December and details published in the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend and on bayofplentytimes.co.nz.

So, please cast your vote - and have your say from Tuesday.

- Scott InglisEditor