Being a midwife is the "best job in the world" and as well as giving Bay of Islands woman Sue Bree a lifetime of great memories, midwifery has earned her recognition from the Queen.
Ms Bree, who has been a midwife in Northland for three decades, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in today's Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours.
She accepted the award on behalf of all midwives, but it was only when she received a letter from the prime minister last week confirming the honour that it started to sink in.
"I still can't get my head around it, but when I think about it seriously I feel really, really humbled.
"I don't know why me because there are a lot of other people doing outstanding work in our community and a lot of other midwives that have contributed to this amazing profession in New Zealand, but there you go."