In December two government surveyors were taking soundings on the Mokau bar when their boat was capsized by a big wave, tipping them into the water.
Local chief Hone Wetere te Rerenga and his companions Kerana and Niwha launched a canoe and, at the imminent risk of their own lives, rescued the drowning men. All three were awarded Royal Humane Society medals.
In making the presentation at the Waitara Town Hall, a government official mentioned how the district had been blighted by war and nearly every one of the old settlers could wear the New Zealand war medal. Although he admired those men, he believed most people would agree a decoration for saving a life was in some respects a greater distinction than a decoration for taking life and would, in future times, be more highly regarded. His comment was greeted with applause at the time and we applaud it now as we declare Te Wetere, Kerana and Niwha are our New Zealanders of the Year for 1885.
"Salutations to you, friends," said Te Wetere in reply. "When we saved these people we did not know that we were earning any reward; we only thought of saving life. We saw them in the water in danger of being drowned, and we knew that unless we put forth some effort they must perish."
