The Hohepa school in Poraiti was the first of its kind when built in 1957, and still caters for those with special requirements for their care and education.
At another Hohepa site in Clive, residents live in houses with support workers, while learning life skills, and taking an active part in community life.
It was this emphasis on community which first attracted Mr White to the position at Hohepa, after spending the previous 35 years in education.
In the decade since he has overseen a number of changes within the organisation, as well as overcoming its challenges, and celebrating its achievements.
Recent ones included receiving better funding for the Hohepa school - which was rebuilt in 2011 - developing an independent living project - which gives residents the tools, and support to live independently - and starting a Hohepa operation in Kapiti in 2015.
The Kapiti operation works under Hawke's Bay management, but became the fourth Hohepa region.
"When you think it all started on the hill up at Puketitiri, [the regions] have all sprung out that work initially. I think that's amazing," Mr White said.
Overall however, the general manager said he was most pleased with how Hohepa, and its staff, had given residents all the opportunities and experiences possible.
This was epitomised by the organisations byline - developed in recent years - of "every life fully lived".
Ensuring their motto was fulfilled involved retaining the founding principles of Rudolf Steiner, and the "special character" which made Hohepa unique, while adapting the service to suit the present day community.
From children, adults, and the organisation's growing aged care group, Mr White said their service had been developed to "really give people the opportunities, the experiences, and the ability to be themselves in today's society".
"We have some quite complex autistic young people, and we've successfully changed their lives," he said. "You see some of them who you would have thought might not have been able to manage, or fit in and you see them fitting in this neat environment here at Clive.
"It gives them a life where they can move about without other things getting in their way or other pressures, and that's rich, that's wonderful."
Mr White said it was also important to him that emphasis was placed on staff development to make their job richer, with frontline staff doing "an amazing job" every day.
Those who have worked alongside Mr White have spoken of his time at the helm as one of change, but also of him as an "inspiring" and "visionary" leader for the organisation.
Hawkes Bay Regional Board chair Shelly Witchalls has worked with Mr White since 2013. During this time she said she had been impressed by his love for Hohepa, and his being an "amazing advocate" for its residents.
"He's had the energy and the drive to really move Hohepa forward over the last 10 years," she said.
"It's gone through quite a change. The organisation has grown under him, we are now one of Hawke's larger employers ... so his role has been crucial in leading the organisation during that time."
She said Mr White had also been able to keep the organisation "moving in line" with changes in Government policy, while ensuring their relationship with them and Ministry funders remained strong.
"That's really essential for our survival."
Recently appointed Hohepa School Principal Stephen Evans said he had appreciated Mr White's support as he settled into his new role.
Having just started at the school this term, the new principal said while he had limited experiences with Mr White, "the experiences I have had have been extremely positive".
"I think he really genuinely believes in the benefit of the organisation and really cares about what he does, it's not just a paid job for him," he said.
"It appears he's left Hohepa in a much stronger place than when he started."
Hohepa trust board national chairwoman Sue Simpson is overseas, and could not be reached for comment.
Yesterday Mr White enjoyed a send-off at Hohepa, surrounded by staff and residents.
He said he had no plans to leave Hawke's Bay, but was planning on spending some time fishing, and being with his family.
"There's been 45 years of working for the lives of others and now is a chance to be a life for myself and my family," he said. "I hope maybe there is something I can do that keeps the mind busy and active but not in the full way that I've needed to do at Hohepa."
Yesterday he reflected that when he began at the organisation, and told people where he worked, he would get two responses:
"People would say 'What's Hohepa, where's that, what do they do there?", or the other response you'd get is "oh, Hohepa makes wonderful cheese".
"We do make wonderful cheese, but I always said when people talk to me about the work that is done for the lives of the people with disabilities, then I know I would have achieved my job".
"In the last three months I've had several people who I've met and they've said 'oh you do wonderful things out there for people at Hohepa'. So I achieved it."
