The tiny Akitio community doesn't forget those who have served them well, even when they've been gone for 16 years.
In traditional country spirit, Akitio people and those from surrounding districts came together on Saturday night to raise money for their former rural fire chief Richard Campbell who is battling cancer.
"Richard was here in Akitio in the early 1980s and was a real hard case man who was the volunteer fire brigade chief and also very heavily involved with our school," current Akitio fire chief Murray De'admin said.
"Richard welcomed me into the community when I arrived here 22 years ago and now it's time for me and everyone else to do what we can for him."
Mr Campbell, who now lives in Whangarei, left a lasting impression on the Akitio community when he left 16 years ago, but is now fighting cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. Mr De'admin and his son Daniel, who lives in Waipukurau, were happy to have their heads shaved to raise money for someone so special to their community.
"He's lost his hair, so we're doing the same," Daniel said.
The Akitio community and beyond turned out in their droves on Saturday night to the community hall to raise money for Mr Campbell and to remember "a really good bloke".
"Richard doesn't know what we are doing and I won't be ringing him until after my hair has gone," Mr De'admin said.
"This is about doing it for my mate and it only takes a week to get used to having no hair."
But with Dannevirke's Anne and Peter Greatbatch donating an extra $50 to see Mr De'admin's eyebrows gone too, the new look was going to take a bit of getting used to, his wife Donna said.
"I've got to look at this every day," she muttered.
Daniel said he was inspired to have his hair gone and his head shaved by his father, but reckoned he'd be wearing a beanie for a while.
As well as auctioning off two heads of hair and a set of eyebrows, Akitio fisherman Bill Fergus also had 10 mystery envelopes valued at $1400 up for grabs.
"We've everything from a top prize of a $400 fishing trip to New World vouchers, everyone has been very generous," he said.
Dean and Cina Moynihan of Crosshills Station at Pongaroa won the right to shave Mr De'admin's hair, while master carver Geoff Bryant of Norsewood took to Daniel's hair with a stuttering pair of electric clippers which needed lubricating with cooking oil to ensure a smooth cut.
"This is a great community," Mr De'admin said.
"I came here 22 years ago intending to stay just one year and never left. These days we've a great community spirit which can't be beaten.
''This is living the real country life in a beautiful spot where everyone pitches in to help."
Once the auctions and shaves were over, it was tucker time, with Mike Harvey, known locally as Mr Reliable, on the barbecue and tables groaning with food supplied by the community.