KEY POINTS:
Search and rescue veteran of 40 years Roger Bates does not like to be singled out for special treatment.
However, he sees his appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit as being not only for himself and his family, but a recognition of the many volunteers who give their time to try to save lives.
Mr Bates, 63, of Turangi, said the public was often unaware of the huge level of manpower provided by volunteers, particularly for search-and-rescue missions.
He said he had been involved in many high-profile cases, particularly in in the middle of the North Island.
Many of the searches had ended in death and, although he had learned to deal with such tragic events, it did not get easier.
The worst searches were those that failed to produce a result as it always left those involved wondering if they had done everything possible.
- NZPA
