The gems in our community glowed at a feel-good ceremony for the Bay of Plenty Kiwibank Local Hero Awards this week. Reporter Jean Bell speaks to two Local Heroes.

The astounding humility of Rotorua’s most cherished community gems was revealed at an awards ceremony for the Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year.

Rotorua’s Nicky Mayne and Danielle Porteous were among the people celebrated at the ceremony at Classic Flyers in Tauranga.

Nicky Mayne said she felt “very, very humbled” to receive the award.

“I didn’t feel like I deserved to be there. The significance of the moment really hit home.”

Mayne is general manager for St Chads Charitable Trust, an organisation supporting people with disabilities.

According to a statement from Kiwibank, Mayne’s leadership has helped dozens of disabled people in the community gain greater independence, learn and maintain valuable life skills, and build better relationships with other members of the community.

Mayne was at work when an email bearing the surprise news dropped into her inbox.

“I couldn’t speak. I was totally gobsmacked … We do what we do not for recognition, but because we believe in a cause,” Mayne said.