Welcoming new Region Manager for Te Ihu

On 20 March we formally welcomed Brad Mosby into his new role as Region Manager Te Ihu.

Brad joined the Region in December but after a busy wildfire season, his pōwhiri was finally held at Ngā Hau E Whā National Marae in Ōtautahi Christchurch in March. Brad was accompanied by whānau, his Te Hiku colleagues, members of Afi Pasifika, his new Te Ihu colleagues and stakeholders from other local agencies. A special acknowledgement to Ngāi Tūāhuriri as mana whenua of Ōtautahi, Henare Edwards, kaumatua of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka, who spoke on the day and Ngā Maata Waka, the kaitiaki of Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae.  

Brad has previously worked in Te Ihu but came to the Region Manager position from Counties Manukau, where he was the District Manager. He’s born and raised in the Bay of Islands and of Ngā Puhi descent with whakapapa connections to Ngāti Manu, a hapu/subtribe in Kāretu near Russell.

Draped in the Fire and Emergency korowai, symbolising his assumption of the leadership of the Region, Brad acknowledged his whānau and all those who have supported him during his time at Fire and Emergency. He also acknowledges the success of the Region is not achieved alone. Te Ihu o te waka a Māui! – Te Ihu is at the bow of the mighty South Island waka. It’s a privilege for Brad to be on board this waka but we must all grab a paddle and head towards a place we aspire to be.

Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini - “Our strength is not that of the individual, but that of the collective"

Te Ihu is a Region of two halves with its fair share of challenges, with wildfires, floods and natural disasters. Brad’s number one priority is the physical and psychological wellbeing of the people in the Region and he’s focused on creating an environment that promotes wellness. As with Te Whare Tapa Whā, these form strong foundations from which everything else can grow.

Some photos of the pōwhiri below: