Ten Northland Justices of the Peace will be awarded long-service certificates next week.
The Northland Justices of the Peace Association will hold its annual meeting at Whangarei Women's Club, in Rust Ave, Whangarei, from 10am next Saturday. Association registrar Sue Farrant said 10 JPs would receive the certificates at the meeting after having served their community for at least 30 years.
"Several members have actually served for longer than 40 years, with Jack Fannon, of Dargaville, having completed 48 years," she said.
"This is a remarkable achievement when it is realised that when they took the oath of office they were expected to make themselves readily available to serve the public and continue to do so today."
Ms Farrant said Justices of the Peace throughout New Zealand were a dedicated group of people who committed themselves to carrying out statutory, judicial and ministerial functions in the administration of documentation and justice in New Zealand without fear, favour or ill will for no reward.
"Last month Justices on duty at the Whangarei Court service desk signed more than 1200 documents. When added to the number of clients accessing the Whangarei Central Library service desk on a Saturday morning together with those visiting private homes Justices of the Peace are indeed providing an invaluable community service," she said.
There are 126 active JPs in Northland.