Social enterprise so important — mayor

Award recipients at last night’s Kiwibank Local Hero Awards (from left) Graeme Gale, of Dunedin, Sharon Kingan, of Oamaru, Gena Bagley, of Wanaka, Malcolm Law, of Wanaka, Allan Adamson, of Oamaru, Joseph Cropley, of Oamaru, Mel Rizzi, of Alexandra, Tina Liddall, of Kakanui, Carey Vivian, of Queenstown, Lynn Stuart, of Wanaka, Paul Tamati, of Wanaka and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull. Jonathan Usher, of Dunedin. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON

The 12 Otago local hero recipients included Otago Rescue Helicopter owner Graeme Gale, and businessman and magician Jonathan Usher, both of Dunedin.

Mr Cull said growing realisation ‘‘the market'' would not solve society's problems had made ‘‘social enterprise'' more important.

Increasingly, people found ways to incorporate their good works into their day job, he said.

It was encouraging to see more young people helping their community, Mr Cull said.

Now in their seventh year, the awards are held in 16 regions.

Later this month, 10 semi-finalists will be named, and a national awards night will be held in February in Auckland.

Each local hero received a Kiwibank medal.

Accepting his, Mr Gale said he had been spurred on by the sense Otago should not miss out on life-saving services like a rescue helicopter just because of its small population.

As well as running rescue missions, Mr Gale also led efforts to invest in medical and avionics equipment.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz