In his first official function as Minister for Corrections, Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis visited Whangarei to acknowledge long-serving Northland-based custodial and non-custodial staff.
The occasion was the Department of Corrections' annual Northern Region Long Service and Good Conduct Awards, where 53 Northland prison, probation and service staff received certificates, pins or medals for being in the job seven years or longer.
Senior officer Ben Poa topped the list for his 42 years of working for the Department, but was unable to attend the ceremony.
Two others, service manager Marty Maioha, who was there to receive for his presentation, and probation officer Neil Rowsell have both chalked up 28 years.