Blair has whakapapa to the Ngāti Pāoa hapū of Ngāti Hura and Ngāti Kapu. He was raised by his mother amongst their Ngā Rauru and Ngāti Ruānui people, following the passing of his father in the early 1970s, and worked 30 years with his Whanganui river people.  He lives on Waiheke Island (Te Motu Ārai Roa) with his wife Tania, together with their son Te Wehi and his whānau, and has come to the role with primarily a public service background.

Blair is the project lead for Ngāti Pāoa’s response for Caulerpa on Waiheke, managing potential tools and working with Pou Rāhui iwi leads in the elimination of this invasive weed. This is critical before the restoration work can begin in the moana space.