Tony Howse is one of those selfless types.

Every weekend for the last two years the Whangamata man has been blazing a 20-minute walking track through bush in the Karangahake Gorge so you and I can have an up close and personal encounter with the kereru or wood pigeon, kaka and fantails.

Tony Howes.

Just him and his shovel…no pay, no compensation; no recognition.

Until now…that is. Tony Howse's goodwill, good deeds and commitment have finally been acknowledged. He's a finalist in the Pride of New Zealand Awards.

The national awards celebrate people who 'make extraordinary sacrifice for the benefit of the community…who go above and beyond to help save and care for others and the environment”.

Tony says it's 'great” to be nominated. 'I haven't taken it in yet.”

But the accolade doesn't sit too comfortably with him.

'I have always tried to do good things for good people,” he says. 'If you give to nature it tends to give back...and this case it has given plenty back.”

Tony, who is also a music teacher, a sculptor and runs a gallery, started the conservation project by regenerating a seven hectare reserve; planting it and eradicating pest birds.

'Once the rosellas were gone, the native birds literally followed me back into the bush,” says Tony. 'It was phenomenal.”

'The farmer who owns the land was astounded. He hadn't seen a wood pigeon in the reserve for 30 years.”

And after the native birds came people from Auckland and further afield arrived.

'They are blown away by the experience” says Tony.

The reserve and walkway are accessed through the Bullswool Farm Park in the Karangahake Gorge.

Tony says he's blessed with a couple of successful businesses, which allow him the time to work on such projects and still have time for his children.

But he's ambivalent about his chances of winning.

'The finalists are all like-minded passionate spirits doing similar good works,” says Tony.

'I don't mind who wins. And regardless, my work will continue.”

SunLive wishes him well. We'll let you know how he gets on.