Stratford knows him as Uncle Ray.
For the past 30 years, Stratford's businesses have been in safe hands and stray dogs and noisy neighbours have been handled by Ray Ratu.
The 65-year-old is slowly retiring from his duties in the community, but says his years with the council have been enjoyable, meeting many people he now calls friends.
For the past 48 years, Ray has lived in Stratford, where he met his wife Doreen. He says the tight-knit community and family environment is what he loves.
Even though Ray has retired from his duties with Stratford District Council, he still feeds the dogs at the pound and drives around at night time making sure there's no funny business happening around our schools and businesses, but he says soon it will all come to a stop.
``I think I've had enough after all of these years. I'm a tired man.''
He learnt a few tricks of the trade during his 19 years working with the dogs. ``I'd carry around a bag of dog biscuits and they would just hop into the car.''
For the past three years, Ray had been working seven nights a week, but due to health reasons, it became time for Ray to slow down.
Even though he will have extra time on his hands, he says he will never have nothing to do.
``I never get bored. I have grandchildren to keep me busy,'' he says with a laugh. Ray turned 65 last Saturday and some of his grandchildren from England, Auckland and also those local helped celebrate the day.
Ray credits the ``office girls'' at the council for their hard work and ensuring he was kept busy and his wife for putting up with the early morning callouts.