Editorial: Don't make our heroes wait for recognition

Austin Hemmings. Photo / Supplied

Today, we salute heroism. The New Zealand Bravery Awards put the official seal on 31 extraordinary acts of courage and selflessness.

Some of those honoured, such as Austin Hemmings and Lenny Holmwood, became household names because of their deeds. Others, many of them police officers, finally receive appropriate public recognition.

The acts of bravery were diverse, but the recipients were all willing to put their own lives at risk, usually in an attempt to save the life of another. It is a quality that not only inspires us but also challenges us to have the fortitude to act in the same noble way.

Eight men have been awarded the New Zealand Bravery Star, the top honour on this occasion. Aside from Mr Hemmings, who was fatally stabbed going to the aid of a woman he did not know, the other recipients were involved in the Mangatepopo Gorge tragedy in 2008 or the Napier siege the following year.

In the Napier incident, Mr Holmwood grappled with a gun-wielding Jan Molenaar, giving two police officers precious time to reach safety. Four officers - Michael Burne, Dennis Hurworth, Timothy Smith and Paul Symonds - have received awards for their conduct under fire.

Tony McClean and Anthony Mulder have been recognised for their selflessness at Mangatepopo. The pair were competent swimmers who chose to help the less able, virtually negating their own chances of survival.

The award winners acted out of a variety of motives. For some, it was a sense of loyalty; others were perhaps inspired by the resolve of those around them. Some had the advantage of being trained for such circumstances.

None, however, can have been totally prepared for the life-and-death situations in which they found themselves. All had to act instinctively in circumstances that might have caused others to tread carefully. They had to have the strength to behave contrary to the message implicit in an increasingly risk-averse society.

Given all that, it is perhaps surprising that no award of the New Zealand Cross, the successor to the George Cross, has been made.

This recognises "acts of great bravery in situations of extreme danger", as opposed to the Bravery Star's "acts of outstanding bravery in situations of danger". Some of those awarded the Star this year became known throughout the country simply because their acts were considered so extraordinary.

It is also unfortunate that this is the first time the honours have been awarded in more than five years. In some instances, a delay is understandable. Awards may have to be postponed until court proceedings, coroners' inquests and other inquiries are completed.

But it is important that such deeds are honoured as quickly as possible. The publicity gives people pause to consider, and be inspired by, the courage of the recipients once again, and raises the profile of the honours. Whenever possible, they should be an annual event.

The Christchurch earthquake has produced new heroes. Some have already been publicised; others are yet to emerge. And there will be other heroes who follow in the footsteps of the likes of Conor O'Leary, 15, who received a New Zealand Bravery Medal for helping his father rescue a child from a burning car.

It should not take another five years before their courage is officially recognised.