People of the Year: Wiremu and Marsella Edmonds

Wiremu (Lee) and Marsella Edmonds would always say to their children that one day, the world was going to know who they were.

What they didn't realise was that the way the world would remember Robert Ruri-Epapara was after he was killed in a forestry accident almost two years ago.

His death was the catalyst for a chain of events which has seen the couple quit their day jobs, and launch a campaign to try to stop more forestry deaths occurring among bush workers and contractors.

It's that work that has led the couple to being named the Rotorua Daily Post People of the Year for 2014.

Rotorua Daily Post editor Kim Gillespie said the Edmonds had to be admired for their efforts in turning their personal tragedy into something that could have wide-ranging, positive effects.

"The way Marsella and Wiremu have worked through their grief to help others is inspiring."

This year they've been the keynote speakers at 78 events, run 26 leadership programmes, dealt with more than 52 companies and spoken to more than 8000 people sharing their story and putting a focus on forest safety both here and overseas.

Mr Edmonds said it wasn't something they ever imagined themselves doing.

"We never expected, never wanted, never thought we would be doing what we are doing now."

He said the couple was "really humbled and blown away" by the honour - but said a lot of the credit needed to go to those who had supported them over the past two years.

"What an honour. I think for my wife and I, as long as we are giving our best effort that is what counts for us."

He believed Robert, who was 23 when he died in March 2013, would have been proud of the work the pair were doing - and especially the latest accolade.

"That was one boy that loved a bit of the spotlight. We used to always say to all our children that one day the world is going to know who you are. We didn't realise this was going to be the way the world would remember Rob."

Mr Edmonds said Robert was always proud of family achievements.

"He was a very grateful and very proud boy by nature. I'm confident he is approving of it."

While the couple have a busy year planned, they will spend most of January together as a family.

"We've chosen to go away camping with our children to get away from the laptops and get some downtime and give our children our full attention."

With three of their children still living at home, Mr Edmonds said they'd been surrounded by a great support network of family and friends which allowed them to do the work they were doing.

"The difference with this Christmas has been time. We have healed a lot over the year."

He said speaking to people and sharing their experience allowed them to draw comfort. "It's allowed us to understand it more ourselves and accept certain parts."

In February, the coroner's inquest into the death will take place.

"It's going back to reopen wounds but it's a step that is needed to be taken in the right direction."

They'll also hold an unveiling.

"We've still got a couple of rivers to cross and mountains to climb but we are definitely in a better space this year than we were in last year."

Mr Edmonds said while last Christmas tended to be focused on what had been taken from them, they'd now reversed the thought process.

"That doesn't overshadow the hurt and pain at times, or forgetting what has happened, but it allows us to be in a better space to think clearly."

He said it was difficult, but they didn't want to let their experience make them sour and negative - especially with other children to raise.

"If we had have done that our whole family would have died two years ago."

Person of the Month 2014

January: Andrea Thompson

February: Brian McGillivray

March: Tamati Coffey

April: Julie King

May: Dennis and Pam Kenny

June: Kharl-William Wirepa

July: Scott Donaldson

August: Hine Takao

September: Julia Edward

October: Wiremu (Lee) and Marsella Edmonds

November: Ross Bryson and Brendon Waller

December: Kylie Lang