Coastguard Kaipara
Unit Finalist
Coastguard Kaipara has been very busy over the past year – the culmination of many years of hard mahi by the unit. The team is celebrating the construction of and move into their new, purpose-built Kaipara Marine Rescue Centre and the introduction of a Quadski. This, all on the back of a refit of their main rescue vessel earlier in the year – and all thanks to a dedicated and talented team.
Started in 2015, it took until 2021 until the new Rescue Centre was fully funded – with special thanks to Helensville Lions, Coastguard and many others who donated time, materials and labour. The entire Unit was ‘hands-on’ during the build, on top of their day jobs, rescues, fundraising and education – a real team effort that ensured its successful completion. It wouldn’t have been possible without the hundreds of voluntary hours from our team and the community – work that has really paid off.
Coastguard Marlborough
Unit Finalist
Coastguard Marlborough is a standout finalist for Unit of the Year thanks to their exceptional leadership, innovative initiatives, and unwavering commitment to excellence and community service, despite being a small team of volunteers.
The team has accomplished a number of significant achievements within the past year – too many to mention here. For starters, they managed to raise funds and turn around an urgent refit of three new engines for their marine ambulance within just three weeks, enabling the vessel to resume operations in time for the busy summer season.
Not only that, the unit assisted in the refloating of the Aratere, created a Pilot Coastguard Youth Programme, hosted Central’s TRAINEX, appointed two new female masters enabling them to deploy two all-female crews, participated in the Youth in Emergency Services (YES) programme, and initiated Komiti Tikanga, a new Cultural Committee. On top of that, the unit’s exceptional leadership, effective training and proactive community engagement continues to see Marlborough as one of the country’s top performing units.
Coastguard Queenstown
Unit Finalist
Coastguard Queenstown has had an extremely busy and productive year. Notable achievements included recruiting more volunteers and training them with the latest maritime safety protocols and techniques – leading to more engaged and better prepared volunteers, with quicker response times and more effective rescue operations. The unit has also invested in fit-for purpose-equipment, significantly improving their capability to perform in challenging conditions, as well as successfully negotiated increased funding from a major sponsor.
Their successful community outreach programmes targeting the wider community and at-risk groups, saw the team actively engaged with local community and raising awareness of water safety throughout the region. Furthermore, Coastguard Queenstown collaborated with local stakeholders and other emergency services on joint exercises to enhance inter-agency cooperation during emergencies.
All of these initiatives add up to a truly deserving finalist; one that is operationally ready, connected with the community, and superbly trained to save lives on the water.