An advocate for guide dogs in Māori and Pacific Island communities and an expert in early contacts between Māori and Europeans have made the finals of Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.

Dame Anne Salmond was nominated for her work as a writer, historian and for her efforts to improve New Zealand's waterways.

She is up against Wellington plastic surgeon Swee Tan, whose research on strawberry birthmarks has pointed to new ways to treat cancer, and entrepreneur Bill Buckley, whose company prepares 90 per cent of the world's silicon chops.

Guide dog advocate Jim Morunga of Napier, who is also a coordinator of the Kia Piki te Ora Suicide Prevention programme, is a local heroes finalist, along with Jade Temepara of Ashburton, whose Hand Over a Hundy initiative helps families grow their own vegetable gardens, and Auckland’s Scott Gilmour, who started the I Have a Dream programme to boost the education and life opportunities of children in a low socio-economic community in Mt Roskill.

Uawa-Tolaga Bay is a finalist in the community of the year section along with Hawea in Central Otago and the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust.

The winners will be announced on 28th of February.


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