KEY POINTS:
Hone Hikitia Te Rangi Waititi has been many things in his 88 years - soldier, farmer, land company trustee and company chairman.
But most importantly, "John the Major" has worked to keep the young people and families in the remote eastern Bay of Plenty at home.
For service to his community, he has been made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order.
"We saw early in the piece that young people had to leave the district to get jobs. So a few of us put our heads together - 'You do this, I'll do that' - to create work to keep them."
Major Waititi, his friends and whanau tried everything.
They developed the local farming industry, expanding from dairying, sheep and beef to include such exotic creatures as ostriches ("terrible bloody things").
When the Te Kaha dairy factory closed, they used the old buildings as a base for an expanding fishing business.
Around the area near Waihau Bay and Raukokore, Major Waititi organised local labour to clear land and plant trees, preparing new roads in order to establish farming and forestry stations.
The major is a founding trustee of several land trusts, including the Te Haha Station Trust and Te Arawhata Trust, as well as serving as chairman of Raukokore School and Te Whanau a Apanui District High School.
Service has been an integral part of Major Waititi's life.
When World War II broke out, he managed to persuade family members to run his farm while he went to fight. Wounded three times during the advance through Italy, he was given the option of returning home.
"I decided to stay with my boys."
Major Waititi, of Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui descent, is now the only surviving company commander of 28 (Maori) Battalion.
He divides his time between his home in Pahaoa, near Raukokore, and a flat in Hamilton.
The old war wounds, plus rugby injuries and illness, meant his right leg had to be removed early this year, and he needs to be near Waikato Hospital for treatment.
The letter advising of his QSO honour came as a complete surprise.
"I read it 65 times. Couldn't believe it, so I filed it in my rather unorthodox filing system."
For a man who has worked for others all his life, it's a fitting reward.
