A passionate Murupara volunteer firefighter of 26 years lauded for saving the town's fire brigade is a finalist in the Pride of New Zealand Awards.

Murupara Volunteer Fire Brigade firefighter Maera Maki Anderson along with 43 other family members are past or present members of the brigade including her parents, siblings, cousins, and daughters.

Murupara Volunteer Fire Brigade firefighter Maera Maki Anderson.

Maera is a Central North Island finalist in the Emergency Services category along with Maketu Fire Brigade chief fire officer Shane Beech and Lake Okareka volunteer rural firefighter Blair Gilbert.

The awards recognise the individuals who make extraordinary personal sacrifices for the benefit of their community. Those extraordinary Kiwis who go above and beyond to help, save and care for others and their environment.

TV One's Good Morning last week profiled Maera as part of the build up to the awards final night, with one community member labelling her a 'commitment to the community”. meeting the community and Maera herself.

Maera says after initially going along with a family member wanting to join, she has been at the brigade ever since.

'It's a passion and it's in the blood,” says Maera.

'I think I would have to die if I was to give it up.”

Good Morning heard that when Maera learned that the Kaingaroa Forest Volunteer Fire Brigade was under the threat of closing its doors for good, she fought hard to save it.

Going door to door to recruit volunteers, and gaining support and rallying the community, she was able to help keep the brigade operational.

Maera admits to being 'stunned” when finding out she was a nominee, but is yet to discover who put her name forward.

The winner will be named at the Central North Island function in Tauranga on August 5 before the regional winner going into the overall national winners category.

The regional award winners will be judged by our national judging panel, including Judy Bailey and Willie Apiata, and will be recognised at the national award ceremony in September.