The coveted New Zealander of the Year finalists have been announced.
The finalists range from entrepreneurs, community activists, charity workers to visionary medical practitioners.
The awards are in their third year - and are presented as a result of thousands of nominations from around the country.
The shortlist for the 2012 New Zealander of the Year includes Dame Suzie Moncrieff, visionary and founder of the World of Wearable Art Awards, Weta Workshop's Sir Richard Taylor and Dr Sharad Paul for his medical breakthrough in skin cancer treatment.
Finalists for the Senior New Zealander of the Year are Don McKenzie, a blind man serving a number of organisations, Malcolm Cameron who is the founder of the Malcam Charitable Trust, and Napier man Pat Magill who has been serving his community for over 30 years.
