"Then when it actually dawned on me, it was such a shock. It's both an honour and incredibly humbling to think someone holds me in that much esteem."
He said he had no idea who would have made the nomination.
"Maybe one day I'll find out so I can thank them."
Since his retirement Mr Brebner has started up Brebner Education, a consultancy business, and travels a bit more than he used to. "There hasn't really been much down time but, if I find myself in the garden or reading, it's truly appreciated."
In 1967, Mr Brebner took a position at Apanui Primary School following four years' training to become a teacher. Four years later in 1971, he was appointed to the sole charge principal's role at Hangaroa School near Gisborne.
In 1977 he returned to the Eastern Bay, taking the helm at Te Mahoe School, and 1980 saw a move to Manawahe School as principal. In 1990 he took charge at Thornton and, in 1995, was appointed head at Kawerau Central School.
In 1999 he made his final move, becoming principal at Edgecumbe Primary School.
Over his 46 years as a principal, Mr Brebner developed and implemented a specific learning model to raise achievement levels of students, an approach closely supported by the local community, role models and Ngati Awa Kaumatua.
He is a founding member of the "Hearts and Minds" Principals Support Network, a group of North Island principals who meet to share initiatives and work through challenging trends in education.
