Jo Raphael: We're a humble lot but we should be proud

Bay of Plenty Queen's Birthday Honours recipients. Photo / Composite

OPINION

We're a humble lot here in the Bay of Plenty.

Just reading through the amazing achievements of some of our local Queen's Birthday Honours recipients, what stands out to me is that these community heroes are shy about admitting just how outstanding they are.

Whakatāne couple Ken and Sue Laurent, who are today appointed members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to wildlife conservation, are quick to point out that their passion is shared by other like-minded people.

"There is a lot of people with us that do it, it's just fabulous we are getting it, but we are a team and accepting it on their behalf really," Sue says.

"We got really quite obsessed with saving kiwi."

The "obsession" seems to have paid off because their Manawahe Kōkako Trust started off monitoring eight kiwi in 1996, now there are more than 350.

And despite some sad setbacks with their kōkako programme, the introduction of several new breeding pairs meant that this beautiful native bird, once on the verge of extinction, now has a future in our region.

What a huge achievement.

Another recipient honoured today is Serciveman M.

He is given the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration for Services to the New Zealand Defence Force.

We can't name him due to his current role in the defence force.

He is one of the men who led the recovery operation after the Whakaari/White Island eruption and his role in recovering six bodies in terrible and exhausting conditions.

This man is a real-life action hero. His actions have ensured those families were able to mourn their loved ones.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at the time there was a huge amount of courage from those who played an integral role in returning people.

Another Bay of Plenty recipient, Jack Thatcher, is eager to point out that his honour is not just his but is representative of a line of people going back generations.

"...you learn from your mistakes. You learn scenarios that your tīpuna left for you so you understand what they did as the example for you to do the same. Don't try to do something different because their success is you."

Thatcher even said it was up to his wife and daughters whether he accepted the award or not.

"Because it doesn't belong to just me."

Whether it's just our Kiwi nature to be humble, or whether that's a characteristic of true community heroes, we should give these people permission to cast off the shyness and be proud, because we are certainly proud of them.