Mr Simon is now a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) and his wife has a Queen's Service Medal (QSM).

Asked whether all those years of composing songs, singing and tutoring kapa haka were hard work, Mr Simon said they were. "But you don't even consider it hard work. It's something that needs to be done, because the people enjoy it."

Mrs Simon, who has organised his life since his health failed, agreed. "When you're working with people, it's always hard work, but it's something you enjoy when you see the results," she said.

Source

• Wanganui Chronicle