Your chance to help praise unsung heroes

Visit the Pride of New Zealand website to nominate people.

Rotorua people can now recognise those who make the most positive, uplifting and inspiring contributions to their community, with nominations for the inaugural Pride of New Zealand Awards now open.

The award categories will recognise everyday Kiwis who selflessly and mostly unheralded strive to make New Zealand an even better place to live.

The Pride of New Zealand Awards will recognise leaders, campaigners, volunteers, teachers, caregivers and other unsung heroes who have done something extraordinary in their community.

Their stories will be shared through the award's media partners, the Rotorua Daily Post and The Hits, as well as TSB Bank customers and local communities.

People can now nominate someone who inspires them at prideofnzawards.co.nz.

Awards categories will be judged by a panel of prominent Kiwis.

You will also get to have a say through the TSB Bank's People's Choice Award, which will be judged by the people of New Zealand. The People's Choice Award will go to the most popular of the national finalists.

The national winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September.

The categories are:
-Bravery/Heroism Award - recognising those who have selflessly disregarded their own safety in order to help or save the life of another person or persons.

-Community Spirit Award - recognising those whose selfless, tireless and largely unacknowledged actions have enriched the lives of those in their community.

-Fundraiser of the Year Award - recognising those who have gone beyond all expectations to raise money for a good cause, however large or small the amount.

-Emergency Services Award - recognising those professional or volunteer emergency service members who have gone beyond the call of duty to protect their community.

-Environmental Award - recognising those who have positively impacted the environment, making a difference to the wider community.

Lifetime Achievement - recognising those whose ongoing commitment to their cause has enriched the lives of others, making New Zealand a better place to live.

For more information and to nominate, visit the Pride of New Zealand website www.prideofnzawards.co.nz.