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How much do you know about our community heroes and heroines?

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Have a look at these sporting heroes and heroines. What other information can you find about them?

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Do all heroes have superpowers? Click the link to find out!

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Do all heroes have superpowers? Click the link to find out!

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When you think of heroes, Superman may come to mind. With superpowers like flying and leaping tall buildings in a single , it's easy for Superman to accomplish deeds.

Did you realize, though, that you can be a even if you don't have any superpowers? It's true! According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, a "" is "one that shows great ."

The word "" comes from the Greek word heros, which means protector or defender. Every day, there are "ordinary" people who act like heroes when they courageously defend or protect others.

On September 11, 2001, thousands of ordinary citizens became heroes in the of the terrible terrorist attacks that occurred at the World Trade Center in New York City, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and outside Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania.

These terrible attacks caused unspeakable damage, as well as thousands of deaths. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, including 2,753 victims at the World Trade Center attacks in New York City.

As soon as the attacks occurred, thousands of emergency personnel, including firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics, responded to the scene to help as many people as possible. Unfortunately, many of these first responders became victims themselves. In total, 343 firefighters, 60 police officers and 8 EMTs and paramedics lost their lives on 9/11.

In the days, weeks, and months after the tragic 9/11 attacks, people from around the country came to New York City to volunteer their time and skills in the and clean-up efforts. These volunteers included ironworkers, engineers, heavy machinery operators, firefighters, police officers, construction workers, EMTs, medical workers, and dozens of other types of specialists.

The workers were also aided by the largest deployment of working dogs in U.S. history. About 300 search and dogs helped to search for survivors, as well as identify those who didn't survive the terrorist attacks.

Although the 9/11 attacks represent one of the darkest days in U.S. history, the responses of so many regular citizens were remarkable. In a time of great fear and sorrow, thousands and thousands of people set aside their own wants and desires to volunteer their time and skills to help others.

Even though superpowers might make being a easier, every day there are people who selflessly volunteer their time and skills - and sometimes even put themselves in harm's way - to protect and defend others. These everyday heroes might not have superpowers, but they're still superheroes to those they help.

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When you think of heroes, Superman may come to mind. With superpowers like flying and leaping tall buildings in a single , it's easy for Superman to accomplish deeds. Did you realize, though, that you can be a even if you don't have any superpowers? It's true!

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Read the short biographies on these amazing New Zealanders!

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To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be an individual who has made (or is making) a significant contribution to their region, town, suburb, community, iwi, or local group. The impact can be across any field or have displayed courage in overcoming personal adversity.

Nominators should consider talking about the following areas in their nomination:

THE NOMINEE: Describe the person you are nominating and what they've done to inspire you over the past year to nominate them as 2023 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau.

PURPOSE: Who benefits from the work, contribution, or influence of this person - and how?

LEADERSHIP: How does this person set a positive example for other members of their local community?

COMMITMENT: Describe the commitment of time, risks, and challenges overcome to create an impact to this point (this may still be ongoing). What have they done that has gone above and beyond to show leadership, create change, and give back?

PROVEN IMPACT: How has this person clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their local community

How do the Kiwibank Local Hero Awards work?

1. All Local Hero nominations are divided up into regions across Aotearoa

2. Nominations for each region are then sent on to the three Local Hero Judges for that region, for their consideration.

3. Nominations are scored by regional Local Hero Judges based on the criteria above

4. The top 100 (highest scoring) Local Hero nominees across New Zealand will be honoured in December. While we won't be having official medal ceremonies this year, we're making sure we recognise these inspiring New Zealanders by sending each of them their medals - and even hand-delivering a few throughout Aotearoa

5. The 100 Local Hero Medallists go forward to Category Judging Day in November for the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau national award and 10 semi-finalists will be announced in mid-January

6. The 10 semi-finalists will be considered at the Executive Judging Day in late January. Three will be announced as the finalists in the New Zealand Local Hero award in February, and of those three, one will be awarded the 2023 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau title at the Gala event in March 2023 in Auckland

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Kiwibank Local Hero Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau recognises everyday people doing extraordinary things in their local hapori - communities over the past year. This award acknowledges the enormous contribution, sacrifice and commitment of Kiwi who have selflessly worked to make their local hapori a better place.

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These local heroes have won awards for their actions!

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To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be an individual who has made (or is making) a significant contribution to their region, town, suburb, community, iwi, or local group. The impact can be across any field or have displayed courage in overcoming personal adversity.

Nominators should consider talking about the following areas in their nomination:

THE NOMINEE: Describe the person you are nominating and what they've done to inspire you over the past year to nominate them as 2023 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau.

PURPOSE: Who benefits from the work, contribution, or influence of this person - and how?

LEADERSHIP: How does this person set a positive example for other members of their local community?

COMMITMENT: Describe the commitment of time, risks, and challenges overcome to create an impact to this point (this may still be ongoing). What have they done that has gone above and beyond to show leadership, create change, and give back?

PROVEN IMPACT: How has this person clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their local community

How do the Kiwibank Local Hero Awards work?

1. All Local Hero nominations are divided up into regions across Aotearoa

2. Nominations for each region are then sent on to the three Local Hero Judges for that region, for their consideration.

3. Nominations are scored by regional Local Hero Judges based on the criteria above

4. The top 100 (highest scoring) Local Hero nominees across New Zealand will be honoured in December. While we won't be having official medal ceremonies this year, we're making sure we recognise these inspiring New Zealanders by sending each of them their medals - and even hand-delivering a few throughout Aotearoa

5. The 100 Local Hero Medallists go forward to Category Judging Day in November for the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau national award and 10 semi-finalists will be announced in mid-January

6. The 10 semi-finalists will be considered at the Executive Judging Day in late January. Three will be announced as the finalists in the New Zealand Local Hero award in February, and of those three, one will be awarded the 2023 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau title at the Gala event in March 2023 in Auckland

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Kiwibank Local Hero Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau recognises everyday people doing extraordinary things in their local hapori - communities over the past year. This award acknowledges the enormous contribution, sacrifice and commitment of Kiwi who have selflessly worked to make their local hapori a better place.

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Read these short pieces on our Maori Heroes.

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A DigitalNZ story by: Dylan Owen - A set featuring Māori heroes over the ages.

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Listen carefully to this short clip on our local heroes.

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Watch this documentary on our NZ hero.

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In 2007 Willie Apiata, of the NZ Army's elite SAS unit, was awarded the Victoria Cross for carrying a wounded soldier to safety while under fire in Afghanistan. This documentary had exclusive access to Corporal Apiata, from the moment he was told about the VC to his decision a few weeks later to gift the medal to the nation. The shy soldier struggles to deal with his sudden celebrity, and military bosses have to cope with the dual demand of handling media interest in the VC win while still keeping the work of the SAS relatively secret.

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Reluctant Hero | Television | NZ On Screen

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Reluctant Hero - In 2007 Willie Apiata, of the NZ Army's elite SAS unit, was awarded the Victoria Cross for carrying a wounded soldier to safety while under fire in Afghanistan. This documentary had exclusive access to Corporal Apiata, from the moment he was told about the VC to his decision a few weeks later to gift the medal to the nation.

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Check these out!

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Kiwi heroes series

Historical resources in the guise of an action-adventure series, these biographical picture books chronicle the lives and achievements of different famous New Zealanders. Written by acclaimed kiwi author, David Hill, and published with Penguin Random House New Zealand. 'First to the Top | Sir Edmund Hillary's Amazing Everest Adventure' (2015) was the first in the series, and won the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults ' Children's Choice' category in 2016.

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Historical resources in the guise of an action-adventure series, these biographical picture books chronicle the lives and achievements of different famous New Zealanders. Written by acclaimed kiwi author, David Hill, and published with Penguin Random House New Zealand.

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A cool quiz

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New Zealand's legends inspire our tamariki to believe that the sky is the limit. How much do you know about these biographies targeted at children and their kiwi connections?

1. David Hill and Phoebe Morris have paired up on a series of picture book biographies for young children. Which of these historical figures have they not yet featured?

A. Kate Sheppard

B. Edmund Hillary

2. Maria Gill has written several collections of biography stories. Which of these titles is not correct?

B. New Zealand Hall of Fame

D. New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame

3. Which former All Black wrote The Beginners Guide To Rugby?

A. Aaron Cruden

B. Josh Kronfeild

C. John Kirwan

D. Jeff Wilson

4. Which of these authors has not written a book of Maori Myths and Legends for the trade?

5. High-profile basketballer Steven Adams has a new biography coming out soon. What is David Riley's book featuring him called?

A. Dunkin' with Steven Adams

B. Jammin' with Steven Adams

C. Ballin' with Steven Adams

D. Hoops with Steven Adams

6. There are five other male sporting icons in the same series of books. Who are they?

A. Reiko Ioane, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Sonny Bill Williams, Winston Reid

B. Kieran Read, Joe Rocococo, Winston Reid, Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall

C. Richie McCaw, Joseph Parker, Winston Reid, Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall

D. Kieran Read, Joseph Parker, Winston Reid, Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall

7. Whose tale is told in Patricia Grace's book Haka, illustrated by Andrew Burdan?

8. Stacy Gregg has written several books inspired by the lives of real horsewomen. Which was the first in that series?

A. The Princess and the Foal

9. Who was the ghostwriter of Parris Goebel, Young Queen?

A. Madeleine Chapman

B. Toby Manhire

C. Alex Casey

D. nobody - she wrote it herself

10. NZCYA 2018 Non-fiction finalist Explore! Aotearoa tells the story of many of New Zealand's adventure heroes. Who wrote this book?

A. Bronwen Wall

C. Alison Ballance

D. Maria Gill

1. A.Kate Sheppard

2. C. Animal Heroes

3. A. Aaron Cruden

4. D. Chris Szekely

5. B. Jammin' with Steven Adams

6. D. Kieran Read, Joseph Parker, Winston Reid, Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall

7. A. Te Rauparaha

8. A. The Princess and the Foal

9. C. Alex Casey

10. B. Bronwen Wall

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Book Quiz: New Zealand's Heroes and Heroines

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New Zealand's legends inspire our tamariki to believe that the sky is the limit. How much do you know about these biographies targeted at children and their kiwi connections? Test yourself, share with a friend, and let us know on Facebook or Twitter how you do! 1.