Geoff and Gill Brann had no experience in forestry before they bought their property at Roydon Downs in 1963 but today they are being honoured for their work in the industry.
The couple have each been given the Queen's Service Medal for their contribution to forestry and the community as part of the New Year 2015 New Zealand Royal Honours.
"I think there's a lot of other people around that are definitely more deserving. It's definitely an honour anyway. We were both a bit taken aback by it," Mr Brann, 73, said.
"We've got an award for just doing what we enjoyed doing."
Mr Brann had a background in farming but struggled with major erosion on their land when they moved to the region, which prompted them to plant trees to combat it. They became involved in Scion's early research trials of agroforestry - the simultaneous practice of tree and pastoral farming on the same property.