A Waikanae woman has been appointed the first female chief fire officer of a volunteer fire brigade in the Wellington region.
Sarah Sundgren has replaced John Backler as the chief fire officer of the Waikanae Volunteer Fire Brigade. Mr Backler has retired after 15 years in the role.
“I have been associated with the Waikanae Volunteer Fire Brigade all my life,” Sarah said. “My father Bernie Sundgren served as a volunteer fire fighter for 27 years, most of which was in Waikanae.”