Every day, across the nation, Kiwis do great things without much recognition.
We take a look at six of these unsung heroes.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard - selfless professional
Detective Inspector Scott Beard became the face of police during the Grace Millane disappearance and eventual murder investigation. During the investigation, Det Insp Beard fronted media, answering questions and providing updates. At times, he appeared emotional. In a statement, Grace's father David Millane described Det Insp Beard as someone "who has been a most measured, selfless, human and professional face of Auckland Police.
"His emotional media statements have made him many fans both in New Zealand and at home in the UK," the statement said.
Mr Millane also recognised Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Brand as the "hidden driving force of the investigation".
King Homeboy - generous donor
Playing for the chance to spend $10,000 at 1Day.co.nz, beatboxing champion Te Ariki Toki - also known as King Homeboy - was asked to name towns or cities around New Zealand in early December. With the time running out, Mr Toki searched his memory and rattled off as many he could think of. His final score was 11 in 10.
But rather than use the prize for himself, he humbly asked if he could give it away to help underprivileged kids.
"I actually want to give this prize away to Kidscan," he said.
Now, a GiveaLittle page has been set up for King Homeboy, hoping fellow New Zealanders give him recognition for the kind act.
Te Hare Robertson - Keeper of the peace
Te Hare Robertson is the man who inspired the Queen Street McDonald's twerk video. He also helps keep the peace if revellers get too rowdy.
The footage, which went viral, showed a man with a large speaker playing songs while a scantily clad woman danced for the crowd, who showed their appreciation by "making it rain with chips".
He's become a well-known character in the central city, and Mr Robertson is happy to play whatever people want - even a bit of ABBA. "I'm just doing my part. Keep people happy to make people dance. Not fight," he says.
Julie Anne Genter - 'on brand' MP
In August Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter cycled to hospital - at 42 weeks pregnant - to deliver her first child.
"...there wasn't enough room in the car for the support crew," Ms Genter said on social media at the time.
Ka pai - doing anything at 42-weeks pregnant is astounding. Cycling to hospital is worth a shout out.
Phil Newton - caring for strangers
Phil Newton has been driving milk tankers for years, and it's a job he loves.
While driving across the Arapuni Dam deep in the Waikato, he saw a woman sitting on the edge of the cliff. Immediately, he knew something was wrong.
"I saw her sitting there, and my first thought was, 'She is going to jump'."
The bridge over the dam is a reception deadzone. Mr Newton had to keep traveling before he could contact his dispatch operator and raise the alarm.
Making a U-turn on a country road in a double-barrel milk tanker is not an easy move, and it took him a good five minutes after contacting the dispatcher before he could make it back to the dam.
He parked his truck and got out.
"She looked back at me when I got her attention and she had tears streaming down her face. I knew straight away, this girl's not in a good spot."
"I said 'I'm coming through, is that okay?' And she sort of nodded. I sat there and I said 'Look, I'm not going to grab you, I'm not going to do anything like that. I'm just going to sit here.'
"I said, 'What's wrong?' and I got her talking."
Mr Newton stayed talking and listening to the young woman for 15 minutes, not knowing when help would arrive, not knowing whether his words would be enough.
The experience restored his belief that we have a duty of care for others in need - even total strangers.
"What I came away with the most was that if I could sit there and get her talking and just sit there and listen to her, and I was called a hero for doing that, then we've all got it in us to be heroes."
Kosmo and Oza - Police dogs
Four-year-old operational patrol dog Kosmo received a four-centimetre cut to the throat, narrowly missing his carotid artery. His offender was taken into custody and sentenced to 18 months in the Christchurch District Court.
Before the injury, Kosmo attended thousands of jobs across the city. He has since made a full recovery and apprehended a burglar in his first week back on the beat.
Kosmo is not the only K9 hero in this tale. Oza, a fellow police dog, gave nearly a third of his blood to save Kosmo's life during a transfusion.
Newshub.
