Media release

Date: Wednesday, 13 November 2013

New Pride of New Zealand Awards recognise Kiwi greatness

The New Zealand Herald, in partnership with Classic Hits, will launch new, national awards in 2014 to recognise the efforts of Kiwis who each year make a real difference in their communities.

The Pride of New Zealand Awards were announced at the Herald’s 150th birthday celebrations tonight (13/11).

The inaugural awards will be in six categories – outstanding bravery, community spirit, fundraiser of the year, emergency services contribution, helping the environment and lifetime achievement.

APN New Zealand CEO Martin Simons says the awards are an opportunity for the newspaper and its radio partner to give something back to New Zealand.

“The people who make the most positive, uplifting and inspiring contributions in the community do so selflessly, and many of the most outstanding efforts go unheralded,” he says. 

“We want to change that and recognise everyday people doing extraordinary things.”

Mr Simons says The New Zealand Herald is privileged to be able to report the stories of amazing Kiwi’s doing inspiring things, and the media organisation is ideally placed to lead the country in ensuring appreciation of these contributions is taken to another level.

“The Pride of New Zealand will applaud acts of courage, bravery, compassion and community spirit. We want people right across the country to get involved in this celebration of Kiwi greatness.”

Mr Simons says similar initiatives have been very successful overseas and the Herald, in conjunction with radio partner Classic Hits, is delighted to be bringing national pride awards to New Zealand.

Chief Executive Officer of The Radio Network (TRN), Jane Hastings says Classic Hits is the perfect radio partner with its reach across New Zealand.

“Classic Hits is the leading TRN music brand and the brand that connects and resonates with communities across the country. We’re thrilled to be supporting this positive initiative of The New Zealand Herald.”

The Herald plans to develop regional awards across four geographic zones of New Zealand, with national winners recognised at a major event in Auckland in September next year.

The public will be able to submit nominations across the categories of:

• Bravery/Heroism Award – to recognise an individual or group who have put themselves in danger to help or save the life of another.
• Community Spirit Award – to recognise an individual or group whose selfless, tireless and largely unacknowledged actions have enriched the lives of those in their community.
• Fundraiser of the Year Award – to recognise an individual or group who have gone shown outstanding resilience in raising money for a good cause, however large or small the amount.
• Emergency Services Award – to recognise a member or members, professional or volunteer services such as the police, fire, ambulance, defence forces, or air rescue services who have gone beyond the call of duty to protect their community.
• Environmental Award – to recognise an individual or group whose actions prove that by making one degree of difference to their local environment, people make a difference in the broader community.
• Lifetime Achievement – to recognise an individual or group whose actions have enriched the lives of others throughout a number of years and whose actions or achievements have been far reaching, possibly on a national or international level.

Further announcements including the call for nominations, appointment of awards judges and the national event celebration will be made in the coming months.

ENDS

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