Tena koutou katoa, Ko Garrett Blair toku ingoa
I am very excited to be stepping into the General Manager role here at Eastwoodhill Arboretum– an honour and a privilege to be able to lead such a committed and passionate team, to deliver on the strategic and operational goals here at Arboretum.
A little bit about me – I am a Gisborne boy through and through – until I left for the University of Waikato, where I gained a double major in Arts (History) and Sport and Recreation. Post-study, I spent a year in Canada, after which I returned back to Gisborne in 2012 and have remained here since.
My career to date has included 5 years at the Gisborne District Council, where I led the Parks and Community Property department, which was where I found my passion for all things parks. After that, I spent a couple of years at a contracting firm, where I was able to develop my commercial acumen. My last role, and the role I am leaving to join Eastwoodhill Arboretum, is for a non-for-profit called Recreation Aotearoa, who are a membership organisation that is the voice of recreation in Aotearoa, where I was the Parks, Play and Open Spaces Programme Manager, looking after a national portfolio.
Outside of work, I am a big family man and have two boys, Jackson (10) and Harry (8) with my wife Shaan. We also have 3 dogs – Arlo, Ava and Archie. We are a mad football family, with both boys playing and I am the current head coach of the Gisborne Thistle Men’s First Team, as well as an elected board member for Central Football, our regional body.
I look forward to meeting you all and can’t wait to get started!
Nga Mihi Nui
