The winner will also receive $10,000 from TSB Bank to go towards their chosen cause
The Pride of New Zealand Awards are proudly brought to you by The New Zealand Herald and APN regional newspapers, with The Hits radio station and TSB Bank.
TSB Bank Christchurch branch manager Tony Martin said "too often these people go unnoticed".
"Tonight we recognise those every day people who are the unsung heroes who make our communities a better place," he said.
BRAVERY AND HEROISM AWARD: ANGUS PAULEY
When Marlborough Boys' College head boy Angus Pauley saw a young girl being swept away by a flooded Blenheim river on June 11 last year, he knew what he had to do.
He told his mum to stop the car, ran to the High St bridge and shouted to the girl in the raging Taylor River below if she was okay.
"She just yelled back, 'I need my mum'," the 17-year-old said hours after his miraculous river rescue where police praised his brave actions for saving the 12-year-old girl's life.
Stripping to his undies, he dived in to rescue the terrified girl.
"I don't remember thinking too much. I knew she needed help so I did what I could," said Mr Pauley whose bravery has already been recognised by his local council and the Royal Humane Society.
Tonight, Mr Pauley said he was "incredibly humbled" to receive the award and be surrounded by "incredible people".
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD: REBEKAH MALTHUS
After the death of her infant son in 2012, Rebekah Malthus and her partner were lost.
Finding no formal support network, and not knowing where to turn, she formed Project Butterfly.
She soon met others who were also floundering in the same situation and together spearheaded a campaign to build New Zealand's first monument to lost children.
They built the butterfly path in a Nelson park and started art therapy workshops to help families.
Ms Malthus has sent people on respite weekends, organised food runs and started online chat groups so parents have a place to talk to each other when they are feeling lost or helpless.
"Starting with nothing, we have established a network of families that not only understand what each other is going through but is able to support one another on 'dark' days," she said.
EMERGENCY SERVICES AWARD - MAGGIE HOUSTON
The 'angel' of Hari Hari, Maggie Houston has dedicated her life to helping others.
St John's station manager has volunteered with the order for 40 years.
But her valuable time has not just been limited to just the emergency services. She has been involved with a remarkable array of committees in the Hari Hari community, including church, basketball, and the Parents and Friends of the South Westland Area School Committee.
Ms Houston was also a teacher aide assistant, working with a disabled girl for six years, and now remains in daily contact.
"There is no slowing Maggie down," her nomination read.
"I know that she is held in high regard not only by the community members in Hari Hari but also the St John West Coast members - you are never allowed to leave a meeting without getting a Maggie hug!"
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD - STEWART ISLAND/RAKIURA COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT TRUST (SIRCET)
For the past 13 years, six trustees of the Stewart Island/Rakiura Community and Environment Trust (SIRCET) have worked tirelessly to protect the delicate local eco-system.
Chairwoman Diana Morris, treasurer Letitia McRitchie, secretary Alina Atkins, and trustees Jim Barrett, Sharon Ross, and Matt Harehave worked around 600 hours a year on environmental projects concentrating on habitat restoration, community involvement and community education.
The non-profit organisation's major project, the Halfmoon Bay Habitat Restoration Project controls possums, rats and feral cats on private and public land around Halfmoon Bay, which has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of native birds.
Another project, Kiwi Advocacy has helped make the environment safer for the native species.
Their work has "made a huge difference" to the Halfmoon Bay environment as well as raising environmental awareness in the community, its nomination said.
FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR - DEBBS MOODY
Debbs Moody has a passion for fund-raising, a knack of finding the "good in all those around her" and encouraging people to contribute to making the world a better and more fun place to be.
In charge of the Hanmer Springs Community Trust- Events, it has raised more than $21,000 for the local community in the past 18 months.
"She puts many hours into these events and ensures they are profitable, safe and well run. Everybody has a great time and this includes the army of volunteers she motivates to come out and help," her nomination says.
For the last eight years, Ms Moody has found and organised acts for a community variety show which raises around $10,000 every year.
She also fundraises for Pink Ribbon and Ronald McDonald House.
In her "spare time", she also volunteers with St John.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - LOIS HEADS
For more than 30 years, Lois Heads has done all she can to help community events go ahead in the small Southland community of Edendale.
Coaching at Edendale Tennis Club, where she has also been secretary, treasurer and president, she has also been heavily involved with the Edendale School board of trustees and local netball club.
"I believe in giving back to my community," said Ms Heads.
"If any of my family wish to participate in a sport or group activity then I will lend a hand to whatever needs to be done to enable that event to take place. I believe if we all do our bit (however small or large that might be) then there will be positives for all concerned."
The humble mother-of-four said her biggest achievement has been her personal growth and that fact her kids understand the need to give back as well.
In receiving her award tonight, Ms Heads said: "It's really nice to be recognised but really I do it because there's a need and I am able to."
