Sports stars, Dames, public health experts and a member of the government are among the nominees for 2022 New Zealander of the Year.
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Sprint kayaker Lisa Carrington and much-loved shot putter Dame Valerie Adams are on the shortlist of 10.
Ms Carrington this year won three gold medals in Tokyo to become New Zealand's most-decorated Olympian, while Dame Valerie claimed a medal in her fourth-straight Olympics before coaching her sister Lisa to Paralympic gold a month later.
The pair are joined by Maori music champion Dame Hinewehi Mohi, retiring children's commissioner Andrew Becroft and nurse Dame Judy Kilpatrick.
Last year's winner was Siouxsie Wiles, a microbiologist and science communicator who helped New Zealanders understand COVID-19.
Another trusted media performer, University of Otago professor Michael Baker, is also in the running, as is Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan.
Ms Allan was this year diagnosed with stage-three cervical cancer, using the diagnosis to promote testing for the disease.
Speaking from Wellington's parliament, the 37-year-old said she was "a little gobsmacked" to be nominated.
"I really have no idea why I'm there. I don't meet the calibre of all the other people," she told AAP.
Deputy Prime Minister and Sport Minister Grant Robertson said Ms Allan was a "fantastic" New Zealander but deferred picking between his cabinet colleague or Olympic heroes for the award.
"Please don't make me make those comparisons," he said.
The winner will be announced in Auckland on March 31.
Australian Associated Press
