Queen's Birthday honours: David Land
By all accounts, David Land, who is receiving a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community, is something of a workaholic.
The retired farmer has taken on numerous voluntary and business commitments and often refused to take holidays, saying there was too much to do.
"He's a doer, he likes to get things done," said wife Joy.
His focus, both personally and in his volunteer commitments, was continual improvement in farming and he was generous in volunteering his time to help fellow farmers.
Mr Land farmed in the Central Hawke's Bay for many years. He was active in local clubs, Pukehou School, dog trials, the Hawke's Bay A&P; Society, Federated Farmers and was a member of the New Zealand Electoral College for the New Zealand Meat and Wool Boards for many years.
When the Lands moved to Taupo in 1987, Mr Land took up deer farming. He became involved with the Taupo Deer Farmers Association, becoming president. On the steep slopes of his farm, he single-handedly planted thousands of trees to help protect Lake Taupo from run-off and erosion.
He also joined the Pakeke Lions Club in Taupo where he enjoyed driving the Lions' train in Taupo's Tongariro Domain for eight years.
Mr Land said one of his greatest achievements was becoming one of the original directors of the Hawke's Bay Trading Society (later Farmlands) which helped farmers by buying farm supplies in bulk.
