Former Whanganui mayor Annette Main will be made an Honorary Fellow at the UCOL Council Honours Awards later this month.
It's the highest honour going at the awards night and it recognises outstanding and distinguished contribution to UCOL, the wider community and society.
Ms Main was chair of the consortium made up of Whanganui District Council, UCOL and Te Puna Matauranga o Whanganui which helped establish the Maori and Pasifika trades training.
"And it was about retaining the courses in Whanganui and making sure we focus on the strengths of Whanganui, especially around the arts and also trades training," Ms Main said.
"I really enjoyed being involved in the collaborative group. It worked extremely well and I hope that continues. To be part of being able to make that happen was one of the more enjoyable times as mayor."