Nineteen Bay of Plenty Civil Defence and Emergency Management responders and staff have been recognised for their services.

Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director Sarah Stuart-Black presented long service awards to recipients, with some people being recognised for more than 30 years of work in the sector.

Chair of the Bay of Plenty CDEM Group Joint Committee, Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless, says it was an honour to be able to recognise the years of service at an awards ceremony last Friday.

'Whether they have responded locally or nationally, given their time voluntarily or even if they are part of the engine room making sure our communities are able to get through a disaster, what they have done is remarkable.

'Without the people in this room, our local communities wouldn't be what they are today.”

In Tauranga seven staff members were recognised including Peter McCarthy, Shaun Thompson, Kevin Nicol, Peter Seager, Kerry Gordon, Melvern Wainwright and Craig Winters.

A full list of winners can be found on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website.