search
Login
AA Roadservice Officer, Shaun Fairbairn in Dunedin. Photo by Nick Beadle.

AA Roadservice Officer, Shaun Fairbairn in Dunedin. Photo by Nick Beadle.

Q&A: Shaun Fairbairn, AA Roadservice Officer

Dunedin Roadservice Officer Shaun Fairbairn shares his on-the-job stories and tips for winter driving.

Tell us a bit about yourself, Shaun.

I was born and raised in Dunedin and never left. It’s such a vibrant place with a friendly atmosphere and I enjoy living so close to the coast.

My wife and I are nearing 30 years together and now we’ve got our children raising their own families here, too. I’m very fortunate to have them close by. Plus, most of my mates from school have stuck around in town; either that’s a crazy coincidence or there’s something special about this place. 

I trade four wheels for two whenever I can and take my mountain bike out on warmer days. 

Shaun Fairbairn is an AA Roadservice Officer in Dunedin. Photo by Nick Beadle.
Shaun Fairbairn is an AA Roadservice Officer in Dunedin. Photo by Nick Beadle.

What about your job history?

I’ve been in the motor trade for my whole career. As a child, my father got me into cars and motor racing, and that sparked my passion.

When I was old enough, my friends and I would buy piles of old junk and attempt to get them fixed up and running, with mixed results! But that led me into the profession, so I got some qualifications and apprenticeships under my belt. 

Being a Roadservice Officer isn’t my first rodeo with the AA.

Prior to this I spent 12 years as Manager of the Dunedin AA Auto Centre. I had seven mechanics, and we served as a franchise workshop for some major car brands. It was quite a big operation.  

Why did you decide to become an AA Roadservice Officer? 

Running a busy workshop was quite demanding. In 2023 I reached a point in my life where I was keen for something new. 

As I was already involved with the AA and had befriended a lot of the Southern Roadservice team over the years, it was a natural choice. It was an easy transition out of the workshop and onto the roadside, and here I am still!

Shaun Fairbairn on the job in Dunedin. Photo by Nick Beadle.
Shaun Fairbairn on the job in Dunedin. Photo by Nick Beadle.

What’s the highlight of your job now?

The most gratifying part is, definitely, getting AA Members back on the road. No one wants a breakdown; they are always one of the more stressful parts of someone’s day. It’s so rewarding to see their faces light up when we arrive, and the immediate relief when they’re back on their journey. 

Another bonus of working on Dunedin roads is that it rarely takes me longer than 15 minutes to drive to a Member in need.

Do you have a particular callout that stood out to you?

One, not long ago was surprising. It involved a woman who had locked herself inside the car and couldn’t unlock the door… much to her daughter’s amusement on the outside.

It was a new model are with entirely electric gadgets. She had the heater on and had accidentally drained the battery so not even the door handles or locking system would work. Understandably, she was rather embarrassed!

However, it was an easy fix. A simple jump start got the battery going and the doors open. We all had a good chuckle afterwards and thankfully her daughter’s coffee wasn’t even cold yet. 

Shaun Fairbairn has had some interesting callouts during his career as an AA Roadservice Officer. Photo by Nick Beadle.
Shaun Fairbairn has had some interesting callouts during his career as an AA Roadservice Officer. Photo by Nick Beadle.

Are there any jobs that you come across more frequently during winter?

It’s always the batteries that struggle with the colder temperatures, especially if you’ve got one that’s on its last legs. 

Another one is engine flooding. In cold weather, worn spark plugs or a compromised ignition system can struggle to ignite fuel on startup, causing the spark plugs to get fuel- fouled and preventing the vehicle from starting.

Shaun's top tips for looking after your car in winter:

  • Get your vehicle serviced as we come into winter. Having spent so much time in the workshop, I know the real impact it can have on safety and preventing bigger repair bills in the future. Plus, it lessens your chance of a breakdown.
  • Clear vision is crucial, especially in harsher weather and with less daylight. Add on sunstrike risk and you really do need your windscreen to be nice and clear without any smears. Avoid touching it with your hands and use some proper windscreen washer fluid to keep it streak-free. Ensure your wiper blades are in good condition and if your car has auto headlight features, I strongly recommend using them; it’s one less thing to remember. 
  • If the cabin filter inside your heating system is blocked up, it will compromise your ability to defog your windows. Make sure your cabin filter is cleared as part of your car service.

This story is from the Winter 2025 issue of AA Directions magazine.

Hayley Twort

By Hayley Twort
Hayley graduated from AUT University with a degree in journalism and public relations before becoming Communications Coordinator at the AA. A fan of swimming and the beach, you will often find her on Auckland’s West Coast with her dog, Freddy, in her spare time.