Former Tararua district mayor Roly Ellis says that as humbled as he is to be recognised in this year's New YearHonours roll call, his achievements in local office are just as much credit to the teamwork of those around him.
Mr Ellis has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to local government, which he entered in 2009 after being elected a North Ward councillor for the Tararua District Council in a byelection, becoming mayor in 2010, a role he held for six years.
As mayor he held the economic business and development portfolio and oversaw growth in the farming and urban industries.
Setting up an economic development office was one of the platforms he stood for mayor on, and he said work to make it happen started within a few weeks of being in office.
"This has included things like communication, tourism and events and helping small business owners that needed a hand up."