Masterton’s Sam Milligan has received a service award after more than 50 years volunteering with Wairarapa Search and Rescue.

Milligan, 74, received the award on Tuesday for his commitment to Land Search and Rescue and WanderSearch, from Transport Minister Michael Wood in the Grand Hall of Parliament.

Milligan said he was surprised when he found out he was nominated and excited to find out he had been accepted. “I’m pretty humbled to be awarded for the years of service,” Milligan said.

Milligan is being recognised in part for his innovative work with WanderSearch, a tracking system designed for those with cognitive impairment.

Milligan has had to sacrifice time with his family during his volunteering.

He and his wife were married a year after he started volunteering.

New Zealand Search and Rescue secretariat manager Duncan Ferner said the awards were an acknowledgement of the time that has been sacrificed to reunite families. Volunteers “sacrificed time with their family and friends to provide a vital service to New Zealand. Without their efforts, fewer families would be reunited, or loved ones returned home,” Ferner said.