South Taranaki Coastguard

17/06/2026

It’s National Volunteer Week! 🛟❤️

Nobody volunteers for the recognition.

We volunteer because when the pager goes off, someone needs help.

It means getting out of a warm bed in the middle of the night. Leaving family dinners, birthdays, weekends, and sometimes stepping away from paid work. It means giving up our time to train, maintain equipment, raise funds, organise the crew, pick up the radio and be ready when the call comes.

The public often sees the rescue, but not the hours of commitment or the families supporting us from the sidelines. 🌊

This volunteer week, South Taranaki Coastguard is saying a big thank you to those who support us to be able to do what we love 🛥️

09/06/2026

🗣️ Holly here!

It’s Big Swim month - Im swapping my lifejacket for togs and swimming 5km to raise money for Coastguard.

I’d love if you could support me!

If you’re in a position to, follow the link below to donate today, even the smallest bit can help us to continue our mahi on the water!!

Thanks all!! 🙌🏼

https://bigswim.org.nz/h-stockwell

31/05/2026

🌊 A few of the crew got out off Pātea today for some training.

Bit of wind and swell around, but the bar was calm, so it was a good chance to get some valuable time on the water. We make a point of training in a range of conditions because the sea isn’t always flat when we’re called out! 🛟

26/05/2026

🏊‍♀️ Thinking of taking part in the Big Swim? Wai o Rua - Stratford Aquatic Centre are a partner pool!

There’s still time! Sign yourself up here 👇🏼

https://join.bigswim.org.nz/register/step1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=TBS26_S&utm_term=brand&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23763818311&gbraid=0AAAAADcJwP1Pz4GRefBLWcKMHv64kb6j-&gclid=CjwKCAjwidXQBhAZEiwA4egw6Ltwd-1X7e2gdHG2eMfHCsO5w6LnbtrUOa6din6vmYYwKyW6pDZAExoCjuIQAvD_BwE

We’re stoked to be a Partner Pool for The Big Swim again in 2026! 🏊
Are you taking part in The Big Swim this June? If you’ve raised $50 or more, you can swim for FREE at our facility for the entire month of June!
As an official Partner Pool, we're proud to support participants who are making waves for a great cause.
What is the Big Swim? 💦
The Big Swim is New Zealand's ultimate swim challenge!
Participants nominate the distance they think they can swim in the month of June and ask their friends, family and colleagues to sponsor them as they clock up their swimming kilometres.
The funds raised will be used to help train and equip coastguards 2,000+ volunteers as well as fueling and maintaining coastguards rescue vessels across 62 units nationwide.
Want to join in? Head to https://bigswim.org.nz/get-involved and get started!

22/05/2026

We’re recruiting! 🌊

We’re currently looking for new volunteers to join our awesome crew! If you enjoy helping others and want to learn new skills, we’d love to have you onboard. We have a couple roles available:

🌊 Unit Training Coordinator
🌊 Rescue Vessel Crew

One of the best parts about being a part of South Taranaki Coastguard is the people. Everyone is welcoming, supportive, and we have each other’s backs day and night. All you need is a positive attitude and a willingness to get involved with a close-knit unit.

What’s in it for you? – He aha tāku i whiwhi ai?
You’ll gain an amazing sense of reward and camaraderie, mental and physical challenges, and the priceless opportunity to help save lives on the water.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, why not give it a go?

👉🏼 Apply here

https://volunteers.coastguard.nz/current-vacancies/

13/05/2026

Lifejackets really are a slayyyyy 💅🏼💅🏼

it's giving safety

09/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in our South Taranaki boating community 💗💓

💙Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mums, grandmothers and aunties out there - especially the ones who keep our Coastguard whānau afloat.

To the volunteers who juggle family life with callouts.
To the mothers in our crews, our radio rooms, and our communities.
To the mums who wait up, support, and encourage from the shore.

Thank you for your aroha, resilience and generosity💙

06/05/2026

A sad day for all who serve on the water. South Taranaki Coastguard extends our sincerest condolences to the NSW marine rescue community and all those affected. 💔

Last night was the darkest night ever experienced by Marine Rescue NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers answer the call for help 24/7 and last night six members from Marine Rescue Ballina did just that. They launched with a single mission, to save lives on the water and assist a yacht, reported to be in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall.

Tragically, two of our volunteers lost their lives during the response.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the devastating loss is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by volunteers who serve their communities.

“These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, their fellow crew members, the brave radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the incident, the entire Marine Rescue NSW family and the wider Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are supporting our volunteers and their families through professional counselling and chaplaincy support.

“We ask that the privacy of those involved and their families be respected during this difficult time,” Commissioner Andrews said.

24/04/2026

Honouring service and sacrifice.
Lest we forget.