Nominee has his focus on community
Dannevirke’s James Kendrick was named one of 10 finalists in the NZ Herald’s New Zealander of the Year competition just before New Year.
He was in the Local Hero category following a nomination for his actions as a referee last June when he stopped the game to attend an injured Palmerston North Girls High School player.
Recognising the potential for serious injury due to his St John training, James lay on the damp ground in just shorts and T-shirt, holding her neck and calming the girl for an hour before the rescue helicopter arrived. The young lady has made a full recovery and hopes to play rugby again in 2019.
For James it was just part of what he does. He is a multiple volunteer, joining organisations which help the community.
James is a member of both fire brigade and St Johns.
He has been a fireman for 20 years and because a high proportion of callouts are “medical assists” he decided to join the ambulance service as a driver and then became trained as an ambulance officer.
He finds the two sets of skills complement each other but he is at pains to emphasise he is only one member of a big team of skilled volunteers.
He has also been a rugby referee for 30 years with an authoritative style that is respected by the players.
He has served both the Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu Rugby unions.
To James his nomination was both satisfying and also embarrassing.
He says he is only doing what hundreds of his colleagues do every week and if his nomination brings other volunteers into the limelight he is pleased.
He will be back for his 31st year refereeing rugby again in 2019 and has a year full of plans to develop education of the youth through St John. He is the national chairman of Ma¯ ori Advisors for St John and through this he is forging relationships with iwi throughout New Zealand.
His focus is to train youngsters in first aid with the hope that a programme involving NCEA credits will develop.
He is also working with Te Whare Wananga o Awanuirangi — the Ma¯ ori University — to develop a degree in paramedicine so there will be teachers.
In conjunction with this is a plan to help Ma¯ ori become more in touch with their cultural and environmental roots following a successful Dannevirke High School Year 10 camp he and colleague Morrie Black ran in November in the Ureweras.
James said his focus is on helping the community, starting with the Tararua.
Through St John James said all of New Zealand is becoming his community.
He hastens to add a huge thank you to the management and staff of Dannevirke BP Connect and Dannevirke Mitre Ten where he works most of the week.
“Without their help I could not do what I do,” he said.