Supporting offenders into employment has earned Waverley Sawmills managing director Peter Martin a community work partnership award from the Department of Corrections.
Mr Martin was the third person in the Whanganui and Taranaki district to receive the award.
Community Corrections district manager, Coralea Easther, said the award reflected the department's partnership developed with Mr Martin over the years.
"Mr Martin has employed close to 40 men over the last five years on the Release to Work programme from Whanganui Prison."
On release many of these men moved into employment outside of the region. Five former prisoners are currently employed at Waverley Sawmills on a full time basis, with more participating in the Release to Work scheme.