Second New Zealand Order of Merit honour for animal welfare advocate and new Havelock North resident Bob Kerridge in 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours

Despite a list of accolades to his name, being made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit came "out of the blue" and rendered Bob Kerridge "quite emotional".

Kerridge was acknowledged for services to animal welfare and governance in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

"I've got to confess, it was somewhat emotional because I wasn't expecting it at all. When you work at whatever you're working at, you do it for the pleasure of the work in the hope that you will do some good, but you don't expect and you don't go out hunting for this sort of award."

His love for animals began young, when his mother came home with a golden cocker spaniel puppy, Rusty.

"Rusty and I became the best of friends and that was where I first realised that there is an affinity between animals and people."

Successful in business, he has also had a life of service to charity, receiving the title Knight of the Order of St John, as well as the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2005 New Year Honours for services to animal welfare.

Kerridge was appointed executive director of the Auckland SPCA in 1984. Elected to the board of the RNZSPCA in 2007, he was later elected to the position of president of the New Zealand SPCA in 2010, which he held until 2013.

"Being given the opportunity to work with animals is a huge gift. I look back and say 'thank goodness I was able to do that."

He has been a member of the New Zealand World Society for the Protection of Animals Board and the St John Auckland Trust Board and Priory. In conjunction with St John he developed Outreach Therapy Pets.

In 2008 he established the SPCA Cat Coalition to support volunteer efforts to assist stray cats.

He was founding chair of Companion Animal Workshops and, in association with the New Zealand Veterinary association, established the New Zealand Companion Animal Council (NZCAC) in 1997.

Through the NZCAC he has introduced the micro-chipping of pets, the New Zealand Companion Animal Register and the New Zealand Companion Animal Trust.

In 2011 he commissioned and published the first comprehensive statistical survey of companion animals in New Zealand with the NZCAC.

He established the Bob Kerridge Animal Welfare Fellowship to recognise animals, humans and the environment.

Kerridge established the Saint James Saviours Group in 2009 to undertake the preservation of the historic Saint James Theatre in Auckland and later founded the St James Auckland Trust in 2012.

Kerridge believed the latest award also recognised the many other people who care for animals and help them.

In February, he and his wife moved to Havelock North from Auckland and while he may be "retired", it isn't going to stop him from pursuing his passion.

"Animals will always need whoever is there to stand up for them, so I don't plan to give up. I think it's fair to say for as long as there is breath in my body and animals need me I'll be there."

"Keep believing. I think if you believe in what you're doing, you'll do a good job."