"Unfortunately for him, one night, they came to a car accident and I was the person in the car that they had to cut out."
Ngatai was told if he had arrived to hospital 10 minutes later he wouldn't be here.
The past 14 years of Ngatai's career were dedicated to education through kura kaupapa and kohanga reo.
There are about 80 kura kaupapa and 200 kohanga reo throughout the region and while Ngatai has engaged with more than 50 per cent, his goal is to get to all of them.
"It has been a lonely job. It has just been me on my own doing the mahi. My hope that in the future I can get people to come along and support the kaupapa.
"My next stage is enhancing te reo Māori in our organisation and helping to build that integration between the fire service and Māori culture and also the ethnic groups in the Māori areas."
Rural regional manager John Sutton was humbled by all of the recipients, saying it was important to celebrate the successes of their peers.
"I personally think there is nothing better than giving acknowledgement for someone that is doing good things."
The judging panel received 26 nominations, the highest number since the awards began four years ago.
Sutton said it was becoming difficult to create a final selection but he was pleased it was that way.
"It is important for all of the people within the organisation to see that we share in that good stuff that these folk are doing and we want them to be aware that we know about it and we appreciate it." he said.
Awardees
Operational Efficiency - Renee Potae, Turangi Volunteer Fire Brigade
Safety, health and Wellbeing - John Grainger, Te Kuiti Volunteer Fire Brigade
Community enrichment - George Clarke, Doris Hill, Antony Ruhi, Tairawhiti area
Leadership - Tangonui Kingi, Turangi Volunteer Fire Brigade
Special Recognition - Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade
Special Recognition - Soncerei Hemingway and Kimberly Bruce, Region 2 Women's Advisory Network
