Kiwis honoured for their bravery at awards ceremony

Ben Dare (left) saved Scott Scheele's life. Photo / Martin Hunter

Three kiwis will be honoured for their bravery at an awards ceremony in Wellington this afternoon.

The bravery of Tamsin Duckmanton, Benjamin Dare and John Oakes will be acknowledged, with the presentation of The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand Silver Medals at Government House in Wellington.

Tamsin Duckmanton was hailed a hero after she rescued two small children from a burning car in Palmerston North in January 2014.

Ben Dare saved the life of his injured climbing partner, Scott Blackford-Scheele, in their attempt to climb Anidesha Chuli in Nepal in April 2013.

John Oakes, a helicopter pilot, will be recognised for going to the aid of three people injured in a helicopter crash in Antarctica, ensuring their overnight survival until the weather enabled them to be lifted to safety the following day.

The Royal Humane Society medals are awarded for acts of bravery, where rescuers put their own lives at risk to assist others whose lives are in peril.

Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, who is also the patron of the Royal Humane Society, presented each of the recipients with their award.

His wife Lady Janine was also in attendance.

Speaking from today's ceremony Sir Jerry said it was an honour to present awards to those who had put "their lives at risk to save another".

"These people have demonstrated exemplary bravery, and it is appropriate they are recognised in this way.

"They demonstrated the greatest of human qualities, selflessness, courage and compassion, in risking their own lives to save that of another."