Queen's Birthday Honours: Joe Manukau, keeping Katikati safe

Katikati firefighter Joe Manukau is honoured to receive a Queens' Services Medal for services to the fire service and the community. Photo / John Borren

Katikati chief firefighter Hatete Joe Manukau is an unassuming man proud of his station, proud of his team and immensely proud of his town.

So when he found out he was being awarded a Queens' Service Medal for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community, he was quick to share the honour.

"It's not about me," he quietly said from inside Katikati's fire station.

"It's about the team. The guys I work with and these guys," he says, gesturing to the station's wall of honours, "who passed away".

"We were the first brigade in the country to have five Gold Stars in one night."

Gold Stars are prestigious medals symbolising a volunteer firefighter's 25 years serving the community. Manukau's star shines brightly on his chest next to three other medals, including a life member's medal of the brigade.

"It's a community thing. [The brigade is] the binding of this community."

Manukau's Queen's Service Medal recognises his 33 years with the volunteer brigade, 16 of which were as fire chief, plus his 40 years as a teacher. He has also served in several leadership roles throughout Katikati's community and sports groups.

Manukau said his children and grandchildren were his motivation to try to "make a difference", and some of his most rewarding moments included watching some of his Katikati College students come through the fire station's ranks as young firefighters.

"Two-thirds of my brigade are my ex-students," he said.

"A lot come to see me in a different light. They see me as chief. That's an honour in itself."