Ian Walker

Ian Norman Walker (born ) is a volunteer firefighter based in Kaikōura, a coastal town in the South Island of New Zealand.

Career Walker became a member of the Kaikōura volunteer fire brigade in 1979. He assumed the role of Chief Fire Officer in 1985, and was granted a Life Membership in 2002. Walker served as the Chief Fire Officer during major floods in the district in 1993, and during the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. The work of the volunteer fire brigade in supporting the local community was celebrated in July 2016, when Walker and the entire volunteer fire brigade crew of 25 and their partners were acknowledged with a complimentary dinner at a local restaurant, The Pier Hotel.

Walker also runs an automotive business in Kaikōura.

One of the many notable actions of the Kaikōura volunteer fire brigade in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake was the rescue of a 100 year old woman from the ruins of the collapsed historic Elms Homestead. Despite the building being on low-lying ground, the threat of tsunami, and on-going after-shocks, the entire brigade worked through the night to free the woman and search for others in the collapsed building. Walker says about this experience:

Honours and awards In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Walker was awarded the Queen's Service Medal, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Personal life Walker is married to Gwen.