Catriona a finalist for NZer of Year

FINALIST: Catriona Williams, with her labrador Billy, training on her hand-cycle for a marathon in 2010.PHOTO/FILE

A Wairarapa woman searching for a cure for spinal injuries is - for the second time - in the mix to be crowned New Zealander of the Year.

Founder of CatWalk, the Spinal Cord Injury Trust, Catriona Williams joins Kaitaia general practitioner Dr Lance O'Sullivan and Dame Dr Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, a Maori educator, as a finalist for the prestigious award, the winner of which will be named on February 26.

Mrs Williams was in the running for the award in 2011 and was one of 10 semifinalists nominated for outstanding service, achievement and contribution to New Zealand.

A former champion equestrian, Mrs Williams became a tetraplegic after falling from a horse in 2002.

In 2005 she founded the CatWalk Trust, an organisation which raises money to find a cure for spinal injuries.

Mrs Williams said she felt "very lucky" to have been nominated for the award and make it into the final three.

"It's a privilege and I feel so lucky.

"I think what's really special about this nomination is that it's done by the general public, it's an anonymous nomination ... someone has taken time out of their life to support you, I think that's very special."

Mrs Williams was not expecting to take out the award and said the calibre of the other nominees was high.

"I think the other nominees are so phenomenal ... [but] if it managed to happen it would be absolutely amazing for CatWalk and the things that it would bring to the table would be ... amazing.

"I don't do these things for any recognition, or a national title but it's always very lovely when it happens because it helps continue the work that we do," she said.

Mrs Williams said she had a couple of projects in the pipeline that would be "coming to light" soon but for the moment she was focusing on CatWalk's involvement in the New York marathon this November.

CatWalk have about 70 runners participating in the marathon each year, raising money for the organisation.