Wairarapa honours recipients lauded

Wairarapa's honours recipients, including Mollie Kainuku (pictured), were lauded on Facebook. Photo / Alisa Yong

One of the pleasures a newspaper has is detailing our New Year's and Queen's Birthday honours recipients and their achievements, and it seems the public responded to it as well.

Award recipients Mollie Kainuku, David Kernohan, Ian Farrell, Colin McKenna and Liz McKinley were covered by the Times-Age in print and online.

It was via Facebook that our audience could share in the applause, notably for diabetes specialist Mollie Kainuku, whose posting was viewed by nearly 12,000 people, with more than 230 likes.

Many noted her commitment to "her people" and had personal stories about the work and care she put in for her patients and clients.

"Congratulations Mollie. Well deserved. You were amazing when I was diagnosed aged 13," said Nick Burt.

Leslie Palmer said: "Good to see that your tireless work, the endless hours of supporting others via the phone while being a mum/grandmother has been awarded."

"She's an amazing women," said Tashy Arrna. "(She) has always been there for my dad when my sister and I were growing up, one of the kindest most caring people I know."

Featherston was proud of its honours recipient, fire chief Colin McKenna.

"Congratulations," said Heather Burgess. "You have really earned it and, in my considered opinion, you firefighters are all heroes when that siren goes."

Rachael Shirkey-Snee noted his 40 years of service. "That's a lot of dedication - bloody awesome."

Suzie Adamson also praised her mum and dad, Brian and Lily Adamson, who employed Mr McKenna but didn't hesitate to let him down tools and attend fire callouts - which meant Mr McKenna's callout percentage was in the high nineties.