Rotorua Daily Post Person of the Year 2013

Who should be the Rotorua Daily Post Person of the Year for 2013?

That's the question as we head towards the end of the year, and we would like your help to choose someone.

Do you know someone who has given a lot to Rotorua, has gone out of their way to help people or has done something outstanding this year which deserves recognition?

Throughout each month we have chosen someone we believe deserved recognition and have awarded them the title of Person of the Month. Each of those people will go forward for nomination for the Rotorua Daily Post Person of the Year.

So far the nominations include: Turike Tairea, Owen Roberts, Sarah Craig, Christine Findon, Gabby Molloy, Rolly Rolston, Tiny Deane, Jo Orr and Dean Oswald.

But Rotorua is full of truly remarkable people, or people who epitomise what Rotorua stands for.

Last year's winner was elderly victim Gavin Hayes. The 82-year-old had been targeted by teens who stole money and food from his Glenholme flat and twice stole his car.

The community response to his plight snowballed as local residents moved swiftly to gift him back what he lost. Donations of goods, services, cash and even a new car flooded in.

Rotorua Daily Post editor Kim Gillespie said Mr Hayes' story had sparked something extraordinary in the community, which rallied to his cause.

"Gavin Hayes was not person of the year because of any particular good deed or ongoing service. Rather, he was the person of the year because of what he represented, what his story had shown us."

Mr Gillespie said he encouraged everyone to think hard about who had made a difference to Rotorua this year and nominate them for the award of recognition.

To nominate one of the people already named Person of the Month or someone else you think should be the Rotorua Daily Post Person of the Year email mike.watson@dailypost.co.nz or call reporter Mike Watson, phone (07) 348 6199, ext 57049.

Nominations can also be sent to 2013 Rotorua Person of the Year, Rotorua Daily Post, PO Box 1442, Rotorua. Please include details of why you think the person deserves the title, as well as your contact details.

Nominations need to be in by 3pm on Thursday, December 19.