A former Tauranga lawyer is the first member of the Bay of Plenty Education Trust to be named a Emeritus Trustee.
The award was to officially recognise and honour Michael Batchelor's long service to the trust.
Bay of Plenty Education Trust chairman Roger Loveridge said Mr Bathcelor first attended a meeting in 1985, when it was called The Pacific Development Education Trust.
Tauranga's Michael Batchelor has been awarded the honour of "Emeritus Trustee" of the Bay of Plenty Education Trust.
"Michael has seen the Trust's assets grow to more than $6 million and the value of scholarships awarded increased over time. The scholarships awarded last year totalled $189,750," Mr Loveridge said.