One of the best buggers

SETTING THE STANDARD: Keith Tahu receiving the inaugural Institute of Quarrying's Good Bugger Award from Phil Hirst (AEG).

Brian Bellingham wasn't surprised when long-serving Bellingham Quarries employee Keith Tahu received the Institute of Quarrying's inaugural Good Bugger Award at the Northland awards night.

Mr Bellingham had nothing but praise for the man who joined the firm on May 1, 1973, on his return from active service in Vietnam.

"He has worked at many quarry sites, from Cape Reinga to Panguru to Mangonui," Mr Bellingham said.

"He became a B grade quarry manager (1976), then progressed to an A grade unrestricted quarry manager in 1984.

"He is a very competent machine operator, manager, engineer and all round nice guy, and one of the best employees any boss could hope for."

Mr Tahu was currently overseeing management of the company's three agricultural lime plants, along with designing and conducting annual preventative maintenance programmes, and he had also been crucial in implementing the revised health and safety systems applying to those plants.

"His quiet, patient demeanour oozes respect, and his work is always finished to the highest standard," Mr Bellingham added.