It was a sunny day in Rotorua as Ihakara Masoe dropped to one knee with 25 of Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s newest recruits lined up behind him. In the backdrop, a large banner hung from the top of the National Training Centre displaying the words, “Bailey will you marry me?”
Bailey Coburn, his pregnant partner of four years, stood bewildered before quickly accepting Ihakara’s proposal, which took place during his fire service graduation.
“I knew the proposal was coming, but I hadn’t expected it then and there!” laughs the expectant mum, 25, who is 39 weeks’ pregnant with a baby boy. “None of our families knew either. Ihakara had asked for my dad’s permission last year, but no one knew it was happening on that day. I was in complete shock.”
When former roofing factory worker Ihakara, 25, headed from their home in Tawa to Rotorua for his 12-week recruit training in April, he knew he wanted to propose to Bailey, a nurse.
With the help of his fellow coursemates, who knew about his grand plan to pop the question during graduation, the soon-to-be dad decided on the idea of a giant banner.
“Once I got permission, everyone was super keen and excited to help me,” Ihakara shares. “We’d been practising our graduation marching for weeks, including two guys rolling a proposal banner down the side of the training building, which I made from a big tarpaulin.”
This story is from the July 26, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 26, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Five minutes with...ASHLYN TYMMS
Standing ovation! The Aussie opera star’s singing the praises of hot chips and Kiwi ski slopes
JESS NAILS THE PRIZE
The young tradie can also put out fires should the need arise!
MEET THE FAMOUS SIBLINGS
But are they each others’ biggest fans or foes? Here they spill some home truths!
Go get 'em, cowboy!
Beyoncé is riding high despite the controversy surrounding her new country album.
TRUE SPIRIT
The Kiwi actress is bravely battling a mystery illness
KIA ORA, BRAVE KING!
The King is determined not to let his cancer stop him from making a trip to New Zealand later this year.
Holiday time FUN REIGNS!
Take the good times outside and create a magical world full of fantasy and whimsy with these fab projects
Compost SOS PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Making compost is not an exact science. Each batch will be different due to the seasonal availability of scraps, the changes in the weather and variations in your compost management.
Crunch TIME!
These flaky, tasty crackers are ideal to serve to guests or to tuck into a lunchbox
'WE CAN SURVIVE ANYTHING'
Having beaten the odds, the multi-sport champ’s teaching others how to overcome dark times