Mr Kitchen said Mr Tepania had served the brigade for 30 years and was also a founding member of Ahipara's surf rescue. He worked as a driving instructor for Far North REAP, a job that complemented his Fire Service role. He also trained firefighters in emergency driving.
"He was a true gentleman. He went about his work with no fuss and didn't seek accolades. He was a good leader and had great mana within the community," Mr Kitchen said.
Mr Carter said all 10 recipients had excelled in their fields and made huge sacrifices to help make the district a better place.
"I'm delighted we have such caring and enthusiastic people in the Far North."
The other recipients were Tony Brljevich (Awanui), Rod Brown (Kerikeri), Pat Davis (Kaitaia), Sue Hamnett (Paihia), Peter Johnston (Haruru Falls), Beryl McKenzie (Ohaeawai), Doug McKenzie (Omapere), Debbie Sutcliffe (Kerikeri) and Rose Walker (Awanui).
The full citations follow below.
TONY BRLJVEICH
Tony Brjlveich has been involved in the Awanui Progressive and Ratepayers Association for the last 30 years. The association was formed to design and implement a development plan for Awanui. Tony played a key role in formulating and implementing that plan and has been involved in numerous other community projects.
But Tony's community involvement is much wider. He was Kaitaia Rotary president for two years; President of the New Zealand Camp and Caravan Association for two years; board member of the New Zealand Accommodation Council for four years; Chairman of the Northland National Travel Association for six years; a member of the Awanui River Liaison Committee for six years; and President of the Awanui Rugby Club for two years and a committee member for six.
Awanui Progressive & Ratepayers Chairman Bill Subritzky, who nominated Tony, says of him: "Tony's influence and contribution to local committees and national groups has continued throughout his lifetime and this wealth of knowledge is invaluable to our association's goals of Awanui township development... He is always available to assist anyone whose goals support community development and wellbeing."
ROD BROWN
Rod Brown came to the Bay of Islands 15 years ago following his retirement after a successful career with the Royal New Zealand Navy. He became involved with a Department of Conservation project to rid an island in the Kerikeri Inlet of unwanted weeds. While there he discovered a half-completed planting project and decided to finish it, assembling a team of volunteers and obtaining thousands of seedlings.
That project lead Rod to start up the Shade House which over the last few years has grown almost 250,000 native trees and shrubs for restoration projects from Leigh to Cape Reinga. Rod's team have replanted a number of the Cavalli Islands and Urupukapuka and Moturua Islands in the bay of islands.
Rod is also Chairperson of Vision Kerikeri and Deputy Chairperson of the Guardians of the Bay of Islands, a community-based group that is restoring the islands between Russell and Cape Brett. Rod has also been involved in the Puketi Forest Trust, the Northland Tourism Development Group, Living Waters and the Bay of Islands Maritime Park.
Nominator Justin Topzand says: "I feel Rod is always trying to improve the natural world of Kerikeri for the benefit of all".
PAT DAVIS
Pat Davis has made many contributions to community and voluntary groups in Kaitaia. She has been a relief driver for the local Red Cross, delivering meals on wheels from Kaitaia Hospital to older citizens in the Kaitaia area. Pat also served as a committee member of the Kaitaia SPCA for three years and has volunteered at its animal shelter and op shop.
Pat is actively helps residents at the Claude Switzer rest home on behalf of the Switzer Auxiliary, providing and distributing birthday and Christmas gifts and treats. As a treasurer of the Switzer Auxiliary, she is at the forefront of its fundraising. And Pat is also the auxiliary's representative on the Switzer Trust Board.
But her community involvement goes further. Pat is also treasurer of the Kaitaia Croquet Club, often foregoing the chance to play in tournaments so she can help run them. She has also been a member of the St John Carer Calling team for the last 11 years. Pat is also involved the Te Hiku Sports Hub development, the Kaitaia Time Bank and the A & P Society.
SUE HAMNETT
Sue Hamnett only arrived in Far North from England nine years ago. But in that time she has made a huge impact. Soon after her arrival Sue joined the Bay of Islands Rotary Club. Since then she has served the club in a number of capacities, being President in 2010 and is currently the club's Secretary.
Since 2010 Sue has also been Rotary's Assistant Governor for District 9910 which gives her oversight of five Rotary clubs in the Far North and one in Norfolk Island. She also assists the District Governor and fills in for him when he is not available.
Despite a busy schedule, Sue has found time to be involved in other organisations, including the Turner Centre (where she is in charge of the accounting system) and the Bay of Island SPCA.
But she may be best known as Secretary of the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust, a function she has performed for the last nine years. As trust member Frank Leadley wrote of Sue: "She is very efficient, knowledgeable, reliable, experienced and trustworthy. As such, she has contributed greatly to the progress and success of the trust. She gives of her time unstintingly, not only in regards to her secretarial role, but also in a wide range of our funding and other activities."
PETER JOHNSTON
Peter Johnston came to Paihia as a teacher in 1981 and has been involved in the community ever since. Even though he was not a music teacher, he took up the role of leading singing practice and formed a group to sing Christmas Carols. That led to a performance at the THC Waitangi and Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight on Paihia Domain that continues to this day.
Peter was also secretary and treasurer of the Paihia Recreation Society that he helped set up in the mid-1980s to advocate for recreation facilities for the Bay of Islands. He has also been active member of Lions and Probus. Two years ago - when he was already into his 80s - he volunteered to become president of Probus when no one else was willing to do the job. Peter has also been a regular visitor to the Baycare Rest Home at Haruru Falls for more than 20 years, providing a weekly sing-along session which is much appreciated by the residents.
Peter's religious faith is very important to him. He was an early contributor to Bible in Schools in Paihia and Opua schools from the early 1980s. He was a foundation member of the Paihia Baptist Church. He first delivered the message at the Paihia Anzac Day dawn service in1989 and has done so at 14 occasions since. Peter and his wife Audrey were the Northland area managers TEAR Fund for seven years, raising thousands of dollars to raise money to alleviate poverty overseas. Peter and Audrey also travelled to India and Thailand on numerous occasions to work on projects, such as orphanages and wells to provide clean and safer water.
BERYL McKENZIE
Beryl McKenzie has been an active and loyal member of the Bay of Islands Sheep Dog Trial Club for more than 40 years. Beryl is currently the patron of the Northland Centre of the Dog Trail Association
She has offered her farm as a venue for dog trialling for many years. She allowed the Northland Dog Trialling Association to erect a building on the farm, charging a rent of just $1 a year. The building is also used by local residents for events and functions.
Thanks to Beryl's generosity, the Far North District can hold Northland, North Island and even National Championship dog trailing events. As Pat Mount of the Bay of Islands Dog Trail Club Secretary Pat Mount says of Beryl: "Although getting on in years, she has never stopped helping her district and friends. Her hospitality to all and sundry is well known."
DOUG McKENZIE
For more than two decades Doug McKenzie has been involved in helping Far North families with their household budgets. He served 12 years as a financial advisor for Taumarere Counselling Service, and was Treasurer for 12 years after that. He was part of the Mid North Budgeting Services Trust for 13 years, serving in many roles: Chairperson, Treasurer, Budget Advisor, tutor, fundraiser and mentor.
Trust secretary Sue Dunlop-Christie, who nominated Doug, says of him: "His support of his budgeting clients went way beyond the norm, as was his support of the Service and its employees - both paid and unpaid. Doug's clients, especially in the Hokianga, speak of him with respect and affection."
Taumarere Counselling Co-ordinator Alison Ututaonga-Owen says: "Doug works quietly behind the scenes and never expects public recognition or reward. He is an unsung hero who has given unreservedly of his own time and his own resources to keep our service and our community informed... He shows a never-ending desire to help his fellow man, the results of which have contributed greatly to make our community a better place to live in."
DEBBIE SUTCLIFFE
In 2012 Debbie Sutcliffe became aware of the plight of foster children, who are often sent to live with new families with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. So she became the Northland presence for Foster Hope, a nationwide organisation that aims to provide each foster child with a backpack that contains some basic hygiene products and other items that show they are loved.
Debbie turned her family lounge into a storage and sorting depot where the backpacks could be made up. She then gets in her car and drives throughout Northland, delivering backpacks to the region's foster children.
Louse Huett nominated Debbie and says of her: "Debbie's drive for Foster Hope is contagious and I have also caught the bug... Debbie's favourite saying is 'as one person I cannot the change the world. But I can change the world of one person'."
Despite her commitment to Foster Hope, Debbie finds time for other community causes, including Springbank School where her three children attend. She is treasurer of Friends of Springbank and a critical part of all fundraising activities. Principal Mike Warren says of her: "You simply can't look past Debbie as a selfless community citizen; a good sort. She is highly organised, motivated and makes sure things happen so that people less fortunate receive the support they need."
TERRY TEPANIA
Terry Tepania joined the Ahipara Volunteer Fire Brigade on 2 February 1983 and served continuously for 31 years as a firefighter, station officer and deputy chief officer. He became officer-in-charge in 2012 and served in that capacity until he passed away on 29 October 2014.
Terry's service with the brigade involved responding to emergency callouts every year. As he lived directly opposite the fire station, he was generally the first crew member to arrive. He was widely known throughout Northland and Auckland as a teacher-instructor for emergency response drivers.
Terry, along with 11 other firefighters joined the Far North Surf Rescue Organisation in 1984 and qualified as a surf lifeguard, instructor, power craft bowman and power craft operator. As well as doing shifts as a lifeguard, Terry would simultaneously be on duty for brigade callouts.
He was also an employee of Far North REAP for 12 years as a driver educator. Kiri Hobson-Sloane from REAP says: "Terry was a very dedicated and supportive member of the FAR North REAP whanau: Nothing was ever a problem. He also carried out district and road safety mahi, as his passion for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the community was his top priority."
Former Chief Fire Officer Rodger Beatson says of Terry: "He has given numerous years and hours of unselfish service to our community, the Far North and wider regions and he has done so with no expectation of reward."
ROSE WALKER
Rose Walker started serving the Far North community at the age of 16 and has never stopped. She was Secretary of Mangonui Netball for three years; Secretary of the Country Girls' Club for three years; Caretaker of the Mangonui A & P Hall for two years; Secretary at Awanui School for 12 years; has held positions of councillor, delegate and secretary for the Northland Area Machine Knitters Group since 1972; Secretary of Kaitaia Districts A & P since 1993; Treasurer of the national Collective of Rape Crisis NZ for seven years; Treasurer of Rape Crisis Northland for 15 years; Secretary and/or Treasurer of the Far North Safer Community Council for 14 years; and forming the Far North Community Foodbank in 2000 and operating it until 2010.
In addition, Rose has been involved with the committee of the Awanui Progressive and Ratepayers Society for many years. The society was formed to design and implement a development plan for Awanui in conjunction with Far North District Council's aims to develop small communities. Chairman Bill Subritzky says: "Rose Walker has played a key role due to her extensive knowledge, experience and contributions to numerous community-based projects throughout her illustrious career as a community leader."