NZOM for South Wairarapa man | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

In between preserving the Wairio Wetlands, going to Rotary meetings and setting up scholarships, Jim Law somehow still finds time to jet off to Europe to visit his children for some family time, and is celebrating his Queen's Birthday Honour on the Greek island of Naxos.

Mr Law was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit this Queen's Birthday weekend, and said it was "nice for my efforts to be recognised, especially by my peers".

He received the award for his long list of services to the community, which includes 10 years on the board of the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, spending half those years as chairman, where he was passionate about helping young people reach their full potential.

"I spent about 10 years working in Africa and saw thousands of children denied an education through the inadequacies of the state. The waste of subsequent economic contribution from those children was of course huge and the impact on their lives and their inability to reach their potential is unimaginable.

"I was keen to contribute to Kiwi kids getting a chance to reach their potential in agricultural careers."

To further help young people in education, he established annual scholarships at Pirinoa School for students to continue into tertiary education when he returned from overseas 12 years ago.

"The idea was to recognise effort and potential with both book awards and a scholarship.

"Of course, it's at an early age, but I think recognition is key for young kids and I can recall receiving a book prize during my school days that probably was a turning point in my own outlook on life."

Mr Law was managing director and chief executive of Mobil Oil New Zealand from 1994 until 1997 and was executive director of Global Business Support, based in the United States from 1997 until his retirement in 1999.

He became involved in Ducks Unlimited, an organisation focused on wetland restoration, and now focuses on preserving the Wairio Wetlands.

"The wetland restoration has many spin-offs like enhanced habitat for waterfowl and aquatic species, filtration of water runoff and erosion control. These all contribute to the environment we enjoy and that's good stuff."

He never imagined he would receive this award.

"Like lots of Kiwis I like to be busy.

"A purpose is key in life."