Māori paramedic Carlton Irving's job is to save lives - on the ground and in the air, and now he has taken away a top honour for his work at St John.
The Nelson intensive care specialist was recognised for his work with high-need Māori patients.
When he first started as an ambulance officer 14 years ago there were few Māori in the job, and little cultural awareness.
He also has to deal with the harsh realities of life.
"We see people at the worst times in their lives and quite often it doesn't always go how we want," he says.
Now, the work he's done to improve the lives of high-need Māori patients has been recognised by St John, and the 37 year-old was recently made a Member of the Order.
However, although he has hundreds of successful rescues under his belt, he says it's the ones that didn't go his way that he'll never forget.
Newshub.
