Southlander Melissa Vining has once again been named as a semi-finalist in the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year awards.

Vining was also a semi-finalist at last years event, with the 2021 award subsequently being presented to Dr Siouxsie Wiles.

Well known to Southlanders, Vining and her late husband Blair were leading advocates behind a campaign to improve cancer treatment in New Zealand, which ultimately lead to the establishment of Te Aho o Te Kahu, the New Zealand Cancer Control Agency.

Honouring her husband's dying wish, Vining and the Southland community established the Southland Charity Hospital Trust, whose aim is to build a community hospital that would offer free health care services to the people of Otago and Southland, starting with colonoscopies and dental care.

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Fundraising to date has among other things seen thousands of bricks being bought by members of the public.

The Southland Charity Hospital is scheduled to open mid 2022, but has already started operating a day clinic for colonoscopies.

Other semi-finalists in this years awards include entertainer Hinewehi Mohi, nursing educator Judith Anne Kilpatrick, Olympic athletic Valerie Adams, Professor Michael Baker, Minister of Conservation Hon. Kiri Allan, Judge Andrew Becroft, Olymic kayaker Lisa Carrington, health advocate Lyall Thurston and Ngai Tahu's Ta Tipene O'Regan.

Previous winners include Dr Siouxsie Wiles (2021), Jennifer (Te Atamira) Ward-Lealand (2020), Mike King (2019), Kristine Bartlett (2018), Taika Waititi (2017), Richie McCaw (2016), Sir Stephen Tindall (2015), Dr Lance O’Sullivan (2014), Dame Anne Salmond (2013), Sir Richard Taylor (2012), Sir Paul Callaghan (2011) and Sir Ray Avery (2010).