Between them, four district Justices of the Peace have given a combined 116 years of service, something we all need to appreciate, said Jean Corbin Thomas, the immediate past president of the Central Districts JPs Association.
"This is quite an occasion," she said at a function in Dannevirke last Friday night.
"I get the feeling these are all people who are generous with their time and shoulder responsibility, not just as Justices, but by serving their communities. In small communities like this you are very important, but contributing to your community pays you back, too."
Three JPs, Ralph Mountford of Woodville, Alf Knight of Maharahara and Arthur Poole of Dannevirke, were honoured on their retirement, and Dannevirke JP Eva Wright was given a special award for outstanding service on the eve of 25 years as a JP.
"Eva has done a tremendous amount for this branch," said Tom Castles, chairman of the Dannevirke sub-branch of JPs.
"She has been part of this community for a very long time and as well as her role as a JP, she's served as a training officer and been very active in the Catholic Church and St Vincent de Paul. Eva's involvement in our community means she's a very busy lady."