New Year Honours: Tom Baker

Retired engineer and former district councillor Tom Baker was recognised for his continuous work in the Far North. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Queen's Service Medal recipient Tom Baker only lived in Kerikeri four days before he got stuck in to helping the community.

He has been recognised for his continued commitment to the Far North over the last 24 years.

The 86-year-old retired large-scale heavy engineer said he was amazed to receive the honour.

"I was just taken back a little bit," Mr Baker said. "I didn't expect anything like this."

Mr Baker and his wife Lesley moved to Kerikeri in 1990 and it was only four days before a bunch of eager locals came knocking on his door.

They had heard he was a retired engineer and asked him to help save the historic Stone Store, which had been open since 1836.

"News gets around very quickly," Mr Baker said.

After inspecting the store he could not find anything wrong with it and eventually played a central role in the community's bid to keep the store open to the public.

"There was certainly amounts of maintenance but there was no reason for it to be closed," Mr Baker said.

He was also appointed chairman of the Kingston House Community Trust which raised $1.13 million to purchase and refurbish the Kingston House. The property remains home to many community and support groups.

He was perhaps most recognisable for his role as a Far North District Councillor, holding the position for four terms between 2002-2014.

Mr Baker thought that near the end of the position he was the oldest councillor in New Zealand. He was also a Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board member.

"I think it's just, kind of, recognition of the efforts and things I've put in," Mr Baker said. He is also a Justice of the Peace and a marriage celebrant.