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This Week’s Issue

Grassy dies suddenly at his fire station

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Published on

September 2, 2025

Grassy dedicated more than 50 years of his life to serving as a volunteer firefighter.

Grassy pictured with his daughters at last years’ Whitianga Fire Brigade event where he received a 50 years service medal. He received his medal with his brother Spida.

BY LISA WHITEMAN, FIREFIGHTER

It is with deep regret that we share with our community and beyond the passing of our much-loved brother, Grassy (Peter) Mangin.

To know Grassy was to know loyalty, humour, and heart. On Friday night, 29 August, we lost not just a firefighter of 50 years, but a brother, a mentor, and for many of us, family. His boots may be empty, but the space he filled in our lives never will be.

Grassy dedicated more than 50 years of his life to serving as a volunteer firefighter. Fifty years of showing up, rain or shine, sirens or silence, giving his time and his heart to the job and the people who stood beside him. A lifetime of courage, commitment, and stories that could make you either laugh until your sides hurt or bring tears to your eyes.

He was the quiet guy, and sometimes the not-so-quiet guy, who was always right there teaching, guiding, and sharing his wisdom. You’d often find him in the middle of truck checks, showing the new ones the ropes, passing on his tricks of the trade, and making sure everyone lifted their skills. He asked a lot of you to turn up, train hard, give it your best, but in return, he gave and shared with you everything he knew.

To many of us, he wasn’t just a firefighter. He was a mentor, a locker buddy, a mate, and for some of us like me, an extra uncle. I grew up knee-high to a grasshopper in the Te Aroha station, running around with his kids as one of the original “fire brats.” We were lucky to be raised in that extended family.

Nothing made him prouder than his children, especially his two boys who stepped into the boots themselves and carried on the family tradition in the Te Aroha Brigade. You could see his pride in every word when he spoke about their progress and their passion.

Grassy’s service record is remarkable: from running waterways competitions, to adding RCR to his belt, to the countless achievements he notched up alongside his brother, Spida. One of the greatest moments was watching the two of them side by side receive their 50-year service medals together. They were often mistaken for each other, but the truth is, they were two legends in their own right.

Grassy had the biggest heart. He was a stoic, steadfast presence who cared deeply for his people, was respected by all, and loved by many. On the rugby sidelines, though, things got a little more animated. He had a reputation for morphing into the “second ref” who spotted every move on the field. By the end of the game, he often ended up standing on his own because his second reffing got a little intense and very passionate, to say the least. It became a running joke about who was brave enough to sit near him once the rugby kicked off.

And then there were his dance moves one in particular that was pure Grassy. He had this trademark routine where he’d strum an imaginary guitar with one of his long legs. It was equal parts ridiculous and legendary, and once you’d seen it, you could never unsee it.

At the station, though, he was the real deal: a true brother in arms.

We here at Whitianga Brigade have lost a genuine legend. We send our aroha to Te Aroha Brigade, where Grassy first began his service and was such an integral part before moving to the beach to be closer to his brother.

Our love and thoughts are with his children Sarah, Richard, Rebecca, and Dave, his much-loved grandchildren, his brother, and all of his whānau.

Fifty years of service is a rare thing but Grassy’s real legacy can’t be measured in medals, drills, or callouts. His legacy lives in the firefighters that stood beside, the whānau he loved, the mates who’ll still hear his voice in their ear when they’re training, and the laughter that echoes whenever someone strums an imaginary guitar with their leg. That’s how he’ll stay with us.

Rest easy now, Grassy. Red Watch have got you. Your shift is done, your watch complete. Your brigade will carry it from here

With so much love and respect

SFF Whiteman

Adapted from the Whitianga Fire Brigade Facebook page.

A bit of history

Fifty -two years ago, Gary Mangin (known to everyone as Spida), joined the Fire Brigade in Te Aroha. Three years later, his younger brother Peter Mangin, known to everyone as Grassy, also joined the Te Aroha Fire brigade.

Grassy had served 50 years in December 2023 and Spida, had served fifty -three years. In April 2024 both men received their 50 years Fire Service Medal together at the Whitianga Fire Brigade. Spida had just put his Fire Service Medal aside to wait for his brother. “This is so we can receive them together. It is worth waiting for. That’s the way it has always been for us. We are two brothers.”

We think of Spida, Grassy’s family and his Fire Brigade family across this community and this country, at this difficult time.