Tindall in running for NZer of Year

BY MICHELLE ROBINSON

A Shore resident is among three New Zealander of the Year finalists.

Philanthropist and founder of The Warehouse, Sir Stephen Tindall is in the running for the title.

He is up against world champion shotputter Valerie Vili of Pakuranga and scientist and inventor of medical devices for the Third World, Ray Avery of Auckland.

The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of New Zealanders and acknowledge the inspirational influence of their work.

Prime Minister John Key will recognise the finalists at a gala event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Auckland on February 3, when the winners will be announced.

Finalists were nominated by friends, families, politicians and leaders in business, music and voluntary sectors.

Awards patron and former prime minister Jim Bolger, former chief economist Roderick Deane, opera singer Dame Malvina Major, former All Black Michael Jones and judge Ken Mason comprise the judging panel.

The finalists for the Young New Zealander of the Year award for 15 to 30-year-olds are:

- Matt Truman of Christ-church, a CanTeen child cancer charity leader, and survivor of a brain tumour at 14

- Medical, social and climate change campaigner from Auckland Divya Dhar

- YWCA and Trade Aid community leader from Wellington, Vanisa Dhuru.

Finalists for Senior New Zealander of the Year for over 60-year-olds are:

- Founder and president of Ending Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Child Trafficking, and international child protection campaigner Ron O'Grady from Waitakere

- Conservationist, businesswoman, philanthropist and arts patron Lady Diana Isaac of Christchurch

- Former New Zealand Oly-mpic committee president, businessman and philanthropist Sir John Edgar of Otago.

Finalists for Community of the Year are:

- Waihi Community Vision

- Victory Village in Nelson

- The starJam performance group for young people with disabilities in Auckland.

Local Heroes Awards finalists are:

- Special Olympics coach and disability advocate Helen Johnson of Palmerston North

- Local and blind community activist George Phiskie of Waipu

- Youth and community worker Haami Tutu Chapman of Otara.

Fairfax Media, publisher of the North Harbour News, is a corporate supporter of the awards.

- © Fairfax NZ News