When Nga Apai turned up for a recent Tawhero School board of trustees meeting, he got more than he bargained for.
During the meeting Mr Apai, who is the board chairman, was acknowledged for his long service to the board and presented with a certificate. He's been on the board 14 years and has been chairman for nine years.
He put his name forward for election to the board when his eldest child started at the school.
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"My eldest child had only been at the school for about a month when the principal, Chris Dibben, conned me into standing," Mr Apai joked.