Ian Bradley (naval officer)

For the British author and academic, see Ian Bradley.

Ian Bradley (born Hampstead, England, 10 August 1937, died Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 20 June 2015) was a regional councillor in Auckland, New Zealand and a former commander and acting captain in the Royal New Zealand Navy. He was the father of TV presenter Sarah Bradley.

Bradley joined the Royal Navy at age 15 and rose through the ranks to become a commander in the RNZN. However, in the late 1970s, he was relieved of his post due to disciplinary concerns, including abandonment of his command. Bradley brought a lawsuit against the navy, which he lost, an outcome which he believed to be a miscarriage of justice. His position was that he would have eventually become Chief of the Defence Force, and certain powers found that prospect unacceptable, hence his dismissal.

He went into local politics after his naval career, initially with the Devonport Borough Council (1983–86) and Auckland Regional Authority (1986–88) before serving in the Auckland Regional Council. After leaving the Navy, he competed in Ironman events.

He died suddenly in Charleston, South Carolina, on 20 June 2015.