Bravery Awards: I'm no hero, says knifeman's tackler

Waitakere City Council parking warden Pes Fa'aui was overwhelmed at receiving one of the country's top bravery awards - but the honour was tinged with sadness for the man who died that day.

"He was an innocent old gentleman and, while I am deeply honoured and humbled by the award,I can't help but think of him and what his family has gone through."

Mr Fa'aui, 36, tackled a knife-wielding man in a Henderson street late last year. The man had stabbed two others and was advancing on a policeman.

The warden had been chalking a car when the drama unfolded in front of him - and he didn't hesitate to put himself in the line of danger.

After the knifeman stabbed the owner of Norcross Fishing World, he went outside and fatally stabbed 65-year-old Kevan Newman before being shot three times by police. But while the bullets did not stop the attacker, Mr Fa'aui finally did.

He leapt on the knifeman and pulled him to the ground, allowing police to restrain the man.

Mr Fa'aui was cut during the tackle and received stitches but went back to work within days of incident. Since then, Mr Fa'aui has been called a hero many times and received a bravery award from Waitakere City Council Mayor Bob Harvey.

Now his actions have been recognised at the highest level. He is one of five people awarded a New Zealand Bravery Decoration (NZBD) - a royal honour which recognises acts of exceptional bravery.

"I have been labelled a hero," said Mr Fa'aui. "But that term is not for me."

He says real heroes are those in the armed forces, emergency services and hospitals who deal with similar incidents every day.

"They are potentially at risk every day and too often taken for granted."

In the citation, Mr Fa'aui's actions were described as an act of "exceptional bravery" which led to the arrest of a dangerous offender and "possibly saved a police officer from serious injury".

After accepting the award, Mr Fa'aui said he wished to acknowledge several people from those who had nominated him to the Queen, Prime Minister and Governor General.

In particular, he wanted to acknowledge Mr Newman, who died on the way to hospital after being stabbed on that Auckland street.

"My thoughts will always be with his family and friends," Mr Fa'aui said.