The 275 bears were knitted by the Southern Southland Women’s Institutes members for Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) to hand out to Southland tamariki and those in need.
Southern Southland Federation Women’s Institutes president Christine Baird said five institutes in their federation had spent over a year knitting the bears.
"Today is the Teddy Bear Roll Call."
FENZ Invercargill qualified firefighter Andrew Bradford initiated the teddy bear kaupapa and was grateful to the Women’s Institutes for their hard work.
"It’s pretty special getting that.
"They all lovingly, made them free of charge, and they’re all unique, pretty special little teddies.
"We call them super teds," Mr Bradford said.
It was his idea to "bring the teddies to the fire trucks" and use them as a mental health tool.
"They’re a bit of first aid.
"You’d use them for children, elderly and everyone in between, people who’ve seen some form of life-changing trauma.
"It gives them something physical to hold on to; hopefully brings them a bit more comfort and normality to a hectic situation," he said.
New Waihōpai firefighter Mikaere Schooner agreed the community would "treasure the teddies and find comfort in them".
The bears were knitted by Southern Southland Federation members from the Grasmere, Longbush, Riverton, Waianiwa and Waimumu institutes.
