Dr Russell Wills, Children's Commissioner and paediatrician at Hawke's Bay Hospital, has been named the 2014 Hawke's Bay Today Person of the Year.
When notified that the judging panel of Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin, Napier Deputy Mayor Faye White and Hastings District Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers were unanimous in their decision, Dr Wills said he was humbled by the honour and proud to receive it.
Dr Wills said he had "great teams" working with him within the commission and the hospital and his focus would never sway from working to create a better life and better future for children at risk and children in need.
The judges were not only impressed with Dr Wills' achievements and devotion to his work - they were equally impressed at the calibre of the eventual finalists.
Alongside Dr Wills, in the final run up for the title, were Gary Mellett, Kerry and Kiri Swannell, Regan Gough and Stephen Huata.
"We had a good number of very fine nominations," Mr Austin said, adding that to be able to name Dr Wills as the award winner was "amazing".
"He has achieved so much nationally but is well and truly one of ours - he has so much compassion for children and has done tremendous work in highlighting the issue of child poverty."
Hawke's Bay District Health Board chief executive Kevin Snee said the most remarkable thing about Dr Wills was his tenacity and passion. "Without Russell's passion many people would be unaware that children grew up in poverty, not only in Hawke's Bay but throughout the country," Mr Snee said.
"I have huge admiration for Russell - he works with a great team and he's completely committed to his role as a paediatrician and the children he cares for.
"He has helped us realise that this is not someone else's problem, that we all have a role to play and children need a strong voice."
Dr Snee said in his time as chief executive of the district health board Dr Wills had been unwavering in his passion to make sure people were aware that not all children in the community had the same opportunities.
"I am proud to receive this," Dr Wills said, before adding that if it meant it helped raise the publicity and profile of the needs of children then that was a valuable bonus.-Insight p14-15
-Editorial, p16