| Coastguard Tautiaki Moana | |
| Size: | 250px |
| Formation: | 1976 |
| Type: | Charitable organisation |
| Purpose: | Maritime search and rescue |
| Headquarters: | Level 2 3 Solent Street Mechanics Bay Auckland New Zealand |
| Leader Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
| Leader Name: | Callum Gillespie |
| Num Volunteers: | 2,000+ active volunteers |
| Website: | www.coastguard.nz |
| Region: | New Zealand |
| Volunteers: | 2,000+ volunteers |
| Staff: | 100+ paid staff |
| Nickname: | Coastguard |
The Royal New Zealand Coastguard (informally Coastguard) is the primary civilian marine search and rescue organisation for New Zealand. Unlike a number of other countries, the organisation is a non-governmental, civilian charitable organisation, with no enforcement powers. Uniformed agencies of the New Zealand government, including the police, Maritime New Zealand and customs, manage New Zealand's maritime law enforcement and border control. Coastguard in New Zealand is instead dedicated to search and rescue, education and community engagement.
Sea rescue services have existed in some shape or form in New Zealand since at least 1861, but it was not until the 1970s that the modern Coastguard was formed.[1]
Coastguard in New Zealand is a civilian charity made up of volunteers and staff, with 63 volunteer units located around the country.[7]
The type of incident will influence a number of factors, such as who is in control of the incident and who will pay for the incident. Other organisations may also become involved in an incident including:[8]
Some examples of a Category 1 incident are:[9]
Typically require the use of local personnel and resources and can be carried out efficiently and effectively at the local level.
Some examples of a Category 2 incident are:
Coastguard also provides non-urgent assistance within 12 nautical miles of the coast and 30 miles of a Coastguard unit, such as breakdown assistance, at no additional cost to members.[10] Coastguard membership is $130 per year (as of 2024).[11] However, this non-urgent assistance is chargeable for non-members. The current rate is $350 per hour (from the time the rescue vessel leaves the dock until the time it arrives back).[12] The costs incurred for emergency services provided by Coastguard are covered by Police or Rescue Coordination Centre, not the person in distress.
Coastguard’s vision is that “with our support, everyone can enjoy Aotearoa’s New Zealand’s waters safely and with confidence”, with the mission of “saving lives on the water.”[13]
Across Coastguard’s three pillars – Search and Rescue, Communications and Education & Community Engagement, the organisation has three key strategic goals:[14]
Volunteers largely make up the organisation, alongside paid staff. In 2024, there was 2,000+ volunteers and 100+ paid staff. Volunteers undertake a large number of different roles within units, both on-shore and as SAR crew.[15]
Many Coastguard units require volunteers. Interested people can apply on the dedicated Coastguard recruitment website.[16] Applicants need to pass a "police vet". This is more stringent than just a regular criminal convictions check as crew may work with vulnerable people.
Units require people to attend search and rescue events as they may arise.
Involves being a crew member onboard a Coastguard Rescue Vessel (CRV). There are many roles on-board, including helmsperson, navigator / radio operator, observer and skipper.
Involves being an air observer or tactical officer. The air patrol typically involves small planes.
These roles involve contributing to a Unit by applying skills in administration, organising, planning, repairs, working with figures, social media, or general support, both on and off the water during rescue missions.
Communicates with vessels on the water, including rescues vessels (as well as the public). This role requires the crew member to hold a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate. The role involves logging trip reports from water users, communicating vital information over marine radio, handling public calls for marine emergencies and on-water assistance, providing a communication link between Coastguard shore teams and on-water rescue crews, and working closely with other agencies like the Police, Ambulance, Fire, and the local Harbourmaster.[17]
Coordinates search and rescues operations. The role is suited to someone who has previous people management experience. This role is especially important when working with other agencies, in which case the Coordinated Information Management System (CIMS) is used.
All units operate small, medium and large marine rescue vessels, mostly over nine metres but depending on the place they could have smaller vessels. They are specially equipped with rescue equipment, such as:
Today two Air Patrol units exist under the Coastguard banner presently, Auckland Air Patrol and Northland Air Patrol. Together, they responded to 30 calls for assistance and assisted 52 people in 2022/23.[18] [19] Previously an Air Patrol existed in the South Island.[20] This has now been disestablished due to a lack of funding. Assistance is still able to be provided in the event of an emergency to the South Island but this is now typically provided by helicopters based out of Christchurch.
Crew members are provided with a distinctive red uniform that is suitable for challenging marine conditions. Some of the clothing includes:
A number of services are provided by Coastguard via. marine VHF radio. The person operating the VHF radio is required to hold a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate (unless they are under supervision by someone who holds one or they are making an emergency call).[21] To contact Coastguard you can call them on Coastguard Radio on a VHF radio, refer to their website. All emergency calls should be made on marine VHF channel 16. The channel is monitored by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand and the Coastguard Operations Centres. Nearby vessels are also encouraged to listen on the channel for any distress calls.[22]
Provides up-to-date marine weather for all of New Zealand. This is also known as "nowcasting". The channels used for the Marine Weather service are available on the Coastguard website.
Provides ability to lodge a trip report. It is a good idea to do a trip report when departing on the water and when crossing a bar. You should always remember to close your trip report when you arrive back safely or when you cross the bar. In the event that an alarm is raised, search and rescue teams will have information available to assist them with the rescue. The channels used for the Trip Reports service are available on the Coastguard website. The information collected includes:
Coastguard New Zealand operates a subsidiary, Coastguard Boating Education (CBE). The organisation runs education events, such as classes for female skippers,[23] and two Hauraki Gulf cruises highlighting popular anchorages and hazard awareness.[24] Many courses are offered with a number being NZQA-accredited. Some of the most popular courses include:
More information is available on the Coastguard Boating Education website.
Available on platforms such as Android and iOS there is a Coastguard application available to download, this application can give you access to be able to log a trip with Coastguard without having to call Coastguard Radio over the phone or on the VHF radio. It can also give the weather information for your local area and give you other information such as Coastguard Radio map. It also can provide tidal information and allow you to plot locations on a map for memory, for an example fishing spots, etc.
As part of a water safety campaign, Coastguard conducts a programme where old, and oftentimes unserviceable, lifejackets can be replaced at a lower cost than the retail price. More information is available on the Old4New website.
In the 2022/23 financial year, Coastguard received $26.5m in income and had $26.1m in expenses.[25]
| Year | Number of volunteers | Volunteer hours | Incidents responded to | People brought home safely | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023[26] | 2001 | 273269 | 2596 | 6300 | |
| 2022[27] | 1963 | 261000 | 3298 | 7939 | |
| 2021[28] | 1978 | 291402 | 3553 | 8618 | |
| 2020[29] | 2109 | 276309 | 2995 | 6054 | |
| 2019[30] | 1988 | 291482 | 2899 | 6774 | |
| 2018[31] | 2042 | 291235 | 3037 | 6951 | |
| 2017[32] | 2052 | 309367 | 2702 | 6797 | |
| 2016[33] | 2235 | 308733 | 2475 | 6489 | |
| 2015[34] | 2240 | 302453 | 2646 | 6828 | |
| 2014[35] | 2326 | 315234 | 2849 | 7334 | |
| 2013[36] | 2432 | 307445 | 3127 | 7088 | |
| 2012[37] | 2398 | 363108 | 3339 | 6634 | |
| 2011[38] | 2224 | 348356 | 3337 | 6996 |