Rob Pierce has swapped one blue shirt for another.
Pierce has moved into real estate as a lifestyle and residential sales consultant after serving 31 years in the New Zealand Police.
Pierce was based in Te Kuiti and Ōtorohanga from 1993 until 2005, becoming the north King Country town’s first detective. He continued as a detective in Te Awamutu from 2005 until 2009. He moved to Raglan in 2009 and became the town’s first sergeant. In 2011 he moved to Cambridge where he served as sergeant. He returned to Te Awamutu in in 2012 where he completed 12 years as a sergeant.
From 1996 until 2023 Pierce also served as a personal protection officer for the prime minister and other dignitaries visiting the Waikato.
Receiving a District Commissioners’ Commendation for saving the life of a motorist who suffered a seizure at the wheel was one of the highlights of his policing career.
Pierce was driving Paterangi Road when he became stuck behind a truck doing 60kph in a 100kph zone.
The car in front, a red Toyota, was straddling the centreline.
Pierce overtook the truck, got behind the car and activated his lights and siren, but the car continued before crossing the centreline.
Pierce realised the driver was having a seizure.
“I needed to put my car in front of his to stop his vehicle,” said Pierce.
He brought car to a stop and called for backup.
Pierce decided to become a sales consultant after encouragement from a friend.
“He was very successful and trying to get me into it for two or three years,” Pierce said.
“It was time for a change.”
Rob Pierce
