Justin Rihia worked for DOC in Whanganui for 17 years. Photo/ Supplied
With 55 years combined service to the Department of Conservation, the Whanganui office recently farewelled Myles Gembitsky aka Milo and Justin Rihia.
Mr Gembitsky worked 38 years in the Whanganui office and was retiring, while Mr Rihia with 17 years in the Taumarunui office has moved to the other side of the island to the team at DOC Hawke's Bay.
Mr Gembitsky may be small in stature, but he is a man with an aura that radiates in the room by his mere presence.
A humble, well informed, quietly spoken man, he announced at the farewell that he had turned up to acknowledge his colleague. Co-workers weren't convinced he would show because of his no-fuss approach to life.
Mr Gembitsky's colleagues say he is energetic, strong, passionate, driven and future focused - an expert and a knowledgeable bushman and skilled hunter with an innate ability and awareness to walk the bush using all senses.
"He walks the bush and traverses the waterways with a natural awareness to nature. He can tell when there is something different or out of sorts. He has huge history of the Whanganui bush," long-time colleague Jim Campbell said.
Mr Gembitsky is also respected by local tangata whenua, and a known defender of a Maori approach to conservation.
He initially supported Whanganui iwi and their Tira Hoe Waka event as they collectively travelled the Whanganui river. The 30-year event acknowledges Mr Gembitsky for sharing his expertise and ensuring iwi members safely navigate the river.
He is also astute, well versed and knowledgeable about weed control and rongoa Maori (Maori healing) and locals often ask him for advice. Well-respected, he can comfortably speak to politicians, to scientists and to the humble neighbouring local pig hunter.
Mr Campbell said in earlier days DOC rangers were expected to have a vast knowledge of all areas and aspects of the department.
"We had to know and or were taught the different areas, like wild animal knowledge, weed and species identification, knowledge of the bush and waterways."
Mr Rihia, of Ngati Tuwharetoa and Whanganui iwi descent, grew up on the banks of the Whanganui River. As a young man straight out of college he has worked alongside his father, Peter Rihia, for the Taumarunui office for the last 17 years.
He's a family man, blessed with six sons. His wife of 15 years, Moira, is of Nga Puhi iwi descent.
Mr Rihia is a huge man, towering over many of his colleagues. He is known to be a humble and quiet man with a strong demeanour and is respected, well organised and motivated.
Several weeks ago he transferred to the Napier DOC office, where he will work in recreation and pest control. He was formally welcomed to Hawke's Bay with a powhiri.
Mr Rihia is known in the department, and by river operators and local Iwi members, to have exceptional jetboat skills.
"Justin is a competent, respectful man, efficient in all facets of life including his role with the DOC. He's awesome, good at his job, well-liked by all the guys," kaumatua and iwi leader Paora Haitana said.
Mr Campbell said his greatest skills were his personality, honesty, integrity and work ethic.
"A team player, a quiet achiever, he is always well organised and self-motivated. The Taumarunui workshop and gear was always tidy, clean and everything was in its rightful place. He has an ability to work with people and find the humour in a challenging situation. He's like a rock, steady consistent and reliable."
Mr Rihia said his greatest passion was anything to do with the Whanganui Awa - jetboating, hunting and fishing, campsite mahi, Mangapurua Valley stints and work on the Matemateaonga Track and huts.
He's formed many relationships over the years with the team, community, and Maori.
Being part of the Whanganui, Pipiriki and Taumarunui DOC whanau was a highlight, he said.
"I am a need to complete task driven person, so not being able to finish a job can be a challenge. I will miss being close to the awa," Mr Rihia said.
He's excited by the new challenge of working with the Napier team and grateful to still be part of Te Papa Atawhai.