Teviot Valley councillor Sally Feinerman is one of three local government elected officials to be shortlisted for the SuperHuman Award.
The award, presented by Local Government New Zealand, recognises a "a hidden gem who exemplifies what being an elected member is all about".
Cr Feinerman, who also sits on the Teviot Valley Community Board, said she was honoured and humbled to be nominated.
"You don’t really seek the recognition, you just get on and do a job that needs to be done.
"I get quite a sense of satisfaction from getting things done."
Among other community contributions, she chaired the Roxburgh Pool committee for 12 years, and was instrumental in its opening late last year.
Cr Feinerman had posters of the final plans of the pool up in her office for years before it was opened.
"Looking at that every day ... [gave] a bit of a vision about what you’re trying to achieve.
"It was a big project for our community so achieving it was quite a sense of accomplishment for the community.
Cr Feinerman was nominated by Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan, Teviot Valley Community Board chairman Norman Dalley and former community board chairman Raymond Gunn.
Mr Dalley said Cr Feinerman’s service to her community was endless.
"The work she has done has connected the community with our open spaces," he said.
"She’s just one of these people that gets things done."
She was a wealth of knowledge and "helps anyone who comes in her door", Mr Dalley said.
"I don’t know where she gets the time."
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said Cr Feinerman was nominated because of her "Herculean" effort to get the Roxburgh Pool running.
"The number of times there were setbacks or things weren’t working out and she led the group."
"She’s just incredible — the effort and time she’s put [in] and the impact she’s had on her community."
To make the shortlist was a magnificent effort, he said.
The award will be presented during the Local Government New Zealand national conference in Wellington from August 21-23. Cr Feinerman is joined on the shortlist by Cr Colin Olds, of South Wairarapa District Council, and Cr Neville Phillips, of Gore District Council.
