Editorial: It's great to give credit where due

Jean Te Huia

We are brave, generous, kind and apparently deserving in Hawke's Bay.

Nominations for the Pride of New Zealand Awards have come in thick and fast, with people eager to speak out about the good work others do in the community.

It's great to see so many people getting behind the awards, because there are many good deeds that go unnoticed every day.

Take, for example, Jean Te Huia, or Nanny Jean.

She has dedicated countless hours to others and started a number of initiatives, including the first Maori midwifery group and a low-cost community gym. As founder manager and owner of Choices Maori Health, she ensures that Maori and those in the low socio-economic sector are receiving access to quality health care.

She is a deserving nominee for a community spirit award.

Then there is David Bateman, who risked his own life to save a father and daughter struggling in big swells. An obvious candidate, for the bravery and heroism award.

Sometimes it's not just people that need a helping hand but our endangered species.

Hastings couple Graeme and Cherrie Lincoln dedicate their weekends to the kiwi recovery programme. They have made the 90-minute trip to a Department of Conservation hut in the Kawekas every weekend for the past 15 years. They are the longest unpaid volunteers in the programme.

These are just three of the stories Hawke's Bay Today, as a sponsor, has been delighted to share with readers.

Nominations have now closed and judging will soon begin. Regional award ceremonies will take place in August, followed by the national awards ceremony in September.