Editorial: Beyond the call of duty

Queen's birthday honour's recipient Rahera Ohia.

It is that time of year again. A day we celebrate because we are part of the Commonwealth.

With Queen's Birthday public holiday comes another round of honours for people in our community.

These get dished out twice a year, once at New Year and the next on Queen's Birthday. I am all for an honours system but I do not think we need to be giving people awards for doing their job, which is why it is great to see Tauranga's recipients being recognised for going above and beyond.

Yesterday Te Iria Marama Whiu was recognised for her services to Maori and education. She was named as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

A former school teacher with more than 40 years' experience, she was elected as the first Maori President of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Even after retiring she continued to mentor teachers and principals in kura kaupapa Maori and developed Maori educational services.

Rahera Ohia received a Queen's Service Medal for her services to Maori. She is involved in Treaty claims and settlements and encourages Maori to achieve through education and setting up their own small businesses. She is also on the Bay of Plenty Polytech Council.

Kevin Wearne also received a Queen's Service Medal for his involvement in the Tauranga volunteer community since the 1990s.

Mr Wearne has held several voluntary roles including a chair of the Diocese of Waiapu, the founding trustee of the Compass Community Village and was chair of Victim Support in Tauranga. He was also the founding director of Legacy Funerals and ensured that more than $1 million has been distributed via the Legacy Trust to charitable and community organisations in the Tauranga area.

Michael Christensen also received a Queen's Service Medal for services to business and the community. A former Lions Club president, he has served on the Bay of Plenty Legal Services Board. He is a member of the New Zealand Parole Board, trustee of Baytrust Tauranga and a member of the Tauranga Creative Charitable Trust.

These members of our community have dedicated their lives to making this a better place. In some cases, I don't know how they fit it all in. They are all very deserving of the recognition they have received.