Help us find the good guys | Auckland Opinion | Local Voices from Auckland, New Zealand

The Aucklander teams up with The Good Guys stores to find the ultimate local person making a difference in his or her community.

Editor Ewan McDonald says: "Each week we strive to bring you stories about the people of our communities. It is a thrill to open the emails each day to read about the amazing people in every street across our region who are making such wonderful contributions to so many lives. They are the hearts of our communities."

Hundreds of Aucklanders have nominated their local heroes for our search. Here are a few:

I would like to nominate Eru Rangirangi as a local good guy. Eru is 51 and lives in a sheltered house for intellectually disabled men in Balmoral. Eru has made a job for himself by going to The Warehouse in Balmoral every day and helping others. He assists older people by carrying goods to their cars, cleans up rubbish for shopkeepers in the vicinity, and any number of tasks that require a helping hand. He does this cheerfully and in the spirit of service. He has been doing this constantly and reliably for over 18 years. Surely this is deserving of recognition. At one stage he styled himself "The Mayor of Balmoral", such was his constant and daily presence.
Nadya Vessey

I know an ultimate local good guy and I'd like to introduce him to you. His name is Craig Munro from Weymouth. He has a young family, one of whom is mildly autistic and requires a lot of attention and work. Despite this, he is always ready to help people as he loves people and wants to help. Craig has helped numerous in the community to move house. If he finds them struggling he will get some shopping for them out of his own pocket. He will transport any who needs it, including for his son's schoolmates, helping parents to save on fuel. Always with a smile, a listening ear or a hammer in hand, Craig is there to do whatever comes his way. Young people look up to him as he speaks their "lingo" and has their number. On top of these great things, Craig is a pastor for King of Kings Church. He is well qualified to be your down-to-earth, local good bloke.
Anne Currie

I would like to nominate Dr Mark Roger Marshall. Dr Marshall is, in brief, head of the Nephrology unit at Counties Manukau, and chairman of New Zealand chapter of the Australia New Zealand Society of Nephrology. Despite holding big designations, Dr Marshall is down-to-earth when it comes to his dealings with rest of the team, and patients. When I first came to New Zealand after being employed by the DHB in this unit, I was surprised to find him at the airport to receive me. It was my first time out of Asia, he made my beginning easy and comfortable. Every single person who has met Dr Marshall or has worked with him has wonderful experiences to share.
Namrata Khanal

I would like to nominate Danielle Bergin of Island Child Charitable Trust. Starting from nothing except her own experience, Danielle has fundraised incessantly through tireless voluntary work, helping others less fortunate even when she has been destitute herself. She set up and runs a homeless shelter in Pt England, successfully resettling her clients into sustainable accommodation, providing training and mentoring. As well, she volunteered in Vanuatu at Norsup Hospital and in villages within Malekula, noting the great need, and doing what she could to help them improve their situation, then initiating and now becoming the driving force behind a programme providing assistance. This year she has supplied the hospital with over 60 boxes of basic, desperately needed medical supplies.
Jean Park

If you know someone who makes a difference in your community, submit their story and they could win $5000 to spend in store at The Good Guys.
The first 50 nominators will be sent a $50 voucher for The Good Guys. Nominations close on Monday, December 6, at midday.
Drop off your nomination at your local The Good Guys store or email it to:
thegoodguys@theaucklander.co.nz

*NOMINATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED. WATCH THIS SPACE!*