Kiwibank chief executive Paul Brock said the bank was proud to support communities celebrating their outstanding citizens.
"The Local Hero Awards are very special.
"They recognise good people in our communities. People whose sacrifice, optimism, and commitment make others better off.
"New Zealand has a long-standing tradition of community service. It's therefore equally important that we have a tradition, like the Local Hero Awards, where we can give thanks to those who have improved the lives of others in their communities."
In December, the judging panel -- comprising representatives of all the awards patrons, presenters, sponsors, community leaders and independent experts -- will decide the 10 New Zealand Local Hero of the Year semifinalists, with three finalists to be named in the new year.
All national finalists will attend the New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala where one will be named the 2016 New Zealand Local Hero of the Year.
Colin McKenna
(Featherston)Colin has spent much of his life dedicating his spare time to the New Zealand Fire Service. He has racked up an impressive 40 years with the service and shows no sign of stopping. The last 19 years have been spent as chief fire officer at the Featherston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Among his other community work, Colin has served many years with St John Ambulance Service and the Civil Defence. Colin is a mechanic by trade but his fixing and tinkering isn't restrained to the garage. He is often called on by members of the community and has earned the nickname of "Mr Fix It".
Viv Malneek
(Martinborough)Viv has great community spirit, a love for her town and the people within it. She continues to give back through a variety of commitments. She has held positions such as chairperson for Martinborough Plunket where she organised garage sales, coffee groups, parenting courses and nurses clinics. A former librarian, she has served as chairperson for Martinborough Toy Library for many years. She is treasurer and secretary of Rural Women Martinborough and chairperson and secretary of Friends of Martinborough School.
Matt Wilson (Masterton)In 2014, Rathkeale College teenager Matt Wilson decided to put his fundraising skills to good use to improve hospital facilities in the Pacific. Matt raised $80,000 from local businesses and took the lead in designing and building a new hospital extension for the elderly of Niue. Matt's innovative design included a five-unit day-bed wing which can be converted into a multipurpose room, a landscaped garden and a services block based around a modified shipping container complete with kitchenette, laundry and toilet. The building work was prefabricated in Masterton and shipped to Niue for assembly. In July 2014, Matt travelled to Niue with five fellow Rathkeale College students and a group of adults, including his father, to complete the project.
