For the last 30 years a pair of Eastern Bay of Plenty volunteer harbour wardens have selflessly put in the hard yards – but this will be their last summer on the water.

And for Don Herdman, 30 years volunteering as a harbour warden hasn't been a day too long.

Volunteer harbour warden Ted Gee, regional council deputy chief executive Eddie Grogan, regional harbour master Peter Buell, and volunteer harbour warden Don Herdman. Photo: Supplied.

At 85, he's finally decided to call it a day, and this year will be his last as a warden now that he's left his harbour-side home.

It's been 30 years of service to the community in one capacity or another for Don. He first got involved in the subcommittee developing a recreation plan for Ohiwa Harbour, and has always been in and on the water since he was a youngster.

He's also enjoyed 12 years with Whakatane District Council as a councillor, deputy Mayor and then Mayor.

Don says: 'The work is very enjoyable, helping out at the boat ramp, watching people coming and going and helping them to understand the rules and regulations and providing education about water safety.

'We always note who has gone out in boats, how many trailers are in the carpark, that sort of thing.”

Over the years things have changed from just boats and swimmers on the water, as wind surfers, jet skis and biscuits were added to the water toys. And he says having a recreation plan for using the harbour has made all the difference.

'Keeping all the activities separated has worked really well,” he explains, 'because it keeps everyone safe and enjoying the water.”

His biggest problem is ‘people who won't do as they are told', especially those who have driven a distance to get to the water and think they have the right to do what they want when they get there.

But he says education about water safety has improved, and people out on the water now seem more aware of the need for safety.

'Especially lifejackets,” declares Don, 'that's getting much better, and people are wearing them more now.”

Resigning as a warden doesn't mean Don is hanging up his hat completely. He's still on many committees and boards and will be out there in a boat on the harbour with his family whenever he gets the chance.

For the long-serving Ted Gee, it's hard to remember when and why he got involved as a warden.

Now in his 85th year, he says he's always looked down onto the harbour from his farm on the peninsular heading towards Opotiki.

'As a young fella we had a boat and were always out boating, fishing and picnicking so it just came naturally,” says Ted.

He says most people respond well to an approach from one of the six wardens in the Eastern Bay, as long as they're spoken to 'nicely”.

'Over the years I've never had any trouble from anyone,” he explains. 'It doesn't work when you go in laying down the law and telling them what to do. People are now more sensible on the water too.”

However, the arrival of jet skis has increased friction on the water.

'I think it's the age group that jet skis appeal to,” says Ted. 'They often seem to be yuppies who think they're a law unto themselves.”

'But there's so much more publicity now about safety and rules so people are very aware when they head out. Sometimes we get the odd idiot, but the boaties themselves often sort them out.”

For Ted, the ‘freedom years' beckon. He's got a big garden to tend in a lovely spot, and a caravan that he hopes to travel away in for a couple of months at a time.

'For the past 30-odd years I've been tied up over the summers, so it will be nice to get away now and then,” he says.