The Independent member for the Bay of Islands is marking an historic milestone.

Eddie Joyce, who has served 21 years in the House of Assembly, is marking 30 years of being elected.

Joyce famously stepped aside twice to make the way for the two premiers, Clyde Wells, and Brian Tobin.

Back in 1989, Wells won the government, but lost his seat to PC Lynn Verge. Joyce stepped down to allow Wells to run in the district.

He says at the time, only five per cent of the Bay of Islands had water and sewer. Joyce told VOCM Open Line with Tim Powers, “what more can you do for a district, than put a premier in there?”

Joyce asked Wells at the time to make sure the Bay of Islands was taken care of.

He feels privileged to be in the position to help people, “the common people who find it hard to get through bureaucracy.” He believes “the district became better” by having two premiers representing them.