"The fire service proudly sets the bar," Mrs Collis said.
Mr Dunne said he was in awe of the firefighters, but felt a sense of awkwardness with politicians at the bottom of the trust score.
"We're down there with sex workers and used car salesmen," he said.
There are 14,000 firefighters in New Zealand, 80 per cent of them volunteers and Mr Dunne said they were united in their dedication and professionalism, as they are brought together under the new organisation, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, to serve their community.
Paying respect to the sacrifices our volunteer firefighter make, Mr Dunne said he appreciated families will have all become used to the fact they might "be up and off" without warning.
"You always turn out which is why you are so respected," he said.
With the transition to the new organisation every New Zealander can have an expectation of a quality service wherever they are, Mr Dunne said. With 16 failed attempts in the past 20 years to form the new organisation, he said the Christchurch earthquake spurred him to push for change once again.
"The firefighters and urban search and rescue were lauded internationally for their efforts, but they had no legal mandate for the work," he said. "We need a fire service structured to give the best service up and down the country. We held 41 meetings around the country but we could have stopped after the first because the message for change was consistent, the time was right.
"Cabinet was a bit wary, they didn't want to upset the apple cart, but in the end the process had the full support of everyone."
The changes will take place over the next two to three years and it's important to do it once and do it right, Mr Dunne said.
FENZ will be financed properly, with a more integrated service, more co-ordinated, more effective and better organised to meet the needs of our community.
"This will give volunteer firefighters a new sense of purpose and it's in communities such as Tararua where you will see the best impact," Mr Dunne said.
Paddy Driver, the Tararua District Council's principal rural fire officer until Saturday, conceded a lot of hard work had gone into establishing FENZ.
Mr Driver has worked in urban and rural fire services since 1964 and said he believes the merger is a positive move which will benefit volunteers and their communities.
"I'm retiring next year and not transitioning into the new organisation," he said.
Members of Tararua rural fire forces from Akitio, Te Uri, Herbertville, Tiraumea and Weber, along with council employees also acting as rural firefighters, were presented with service medals and bars, their final presentation under their old entity.
"Working with you has been the most rewarding job I've had," Mr Driver said. "You give up your time to make sure your communities are safe and you do it without pay."
He said the relationship between rural and urban fire forces in Tararua is very good.
"But I believe it's time for our older people to move on and for our younger ones to take more responsibility," he said.
Mr Driver was given a special presentation by Gary Lockyer, regional manager rural, on behalf of the rural fire authority.
"Paddy has been a stalwart for this district and it's a real credit to him that your rural fire forces are well trained, well resources and well respected."
* Photos from the medal presentations in the Saturday edition of the Dannevirke News.
