I captained New Zealand to successive World Cups, now I fight fires and help people as pilot
When asking a New Zealander who their national hero is, it might be no surprise to hear the name Richie McCaw more than a few times.
Not only did McCaw lead New Zealand to glory at successive World Cups, but since retiring from rugby he now helps people as a pilot.
He played 148 test matches for the All Blacks, being named captain in 110 of them.
And for a country as passionate about rugby as New Zealand, that is no easy achievement.
For many, he ranks as the best player of all time, and it is hard to disagree after leading New Zealand to World Cup success in 2011 and then 2015.
McCaw was also named World Rugby Player of the Year three times before retiring at the age of 34.
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But as if becoming a sporting hero was not enough, McCaw decided he had more to give to society and so he turned to becoming a pilot.
Speaking to , he said: "Apart from coming to the odd game here and there to watch as a fan, I really have taken a full step back from it and actually I'm pretty much full-time flying helicopters as a commercial pilot now.
"So that's now my new day to day gig and it's a lot of fun."
Originally, McCaw's aviation hobby was merely for commercial purposes, combining utility work with being an instructor.
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But the volatile condition of New Zealand saw the former flanker thrust into humanitarian aid when the island of Kaikoura was hit by an earthquake in 2016.
After much of the town was destroyed, McCaw worked with charities to transport supplies, resources and first aid equipment to and from the island - as well as survivors.
"I took the fire crew up just to make sure everyone was OK in the houses and the roads that were stuck there," he said.
But his charity work did not stop there and a year later, McCaw volunteered as a firefighter during the Canterbury Christmas Day Fire in 2017.
The blaze quickly became worse, needing 20 fire trucks and five helicopters to finally extinguish.
The town of Hororata had become engulfed in flames during Christmas and one of the helicopters was piloted by McCaw.
His wife and ex-New Zealand hockey player Gemma Flynn took to Instagram with the two next to the copter, saying: "Merry Christmas from Mr & Mrs McClaus.
"Santa was out fighting fires but arrived home in time for tea."
In the more rural parts of New Zealand, McCaw also helps perform milk drops and has an endorsement with Fonterra, who are responsible for nearly a third of the world's dairy exports.
As a dairy farmer himself, along with his sister, it is just another facet of an incredible life that has dedicated most of his time to helping others.
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