About us

Who we are 

Coastguard Tautiaki Moana is Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary maritime search and rescue organisation, powered by volunteers, and enabled by staff. Our vision is to help everyone get the best out of their time on the water, safely and with confidence. 

Last year our 2,000+ volunteers gave their time to help bring thousands of people home safely to dry land - from Houhora to Bluff and across the oceans, major rivers, and lakes of our beautiful country. Whatever their waka of choice, be it a boat, jet ski, or kayak, we’re side by side with all water-users, no matter the situation.  

Our volunteers are based at 62 Coastguard units and communities around the country:  

• 59 units crewing 101 rescue vessels and rescue craft (jet ski) providing services to water-users, positioned in strategic locations around the coast and on major lakes and rivers, from Houhora in the north to Bluff in the south. 
• 2 air patrol units based in Auckland and Northland who pilot two search and rescue aircraft providing our eyes in the sky. 
• A dedicated Operations Centre in Auckland where highly trained volunteers and staff lead search and rescue incidents and routine breakdowns as well as take trip reports, broadcast weather conditions, and monitor various VHF channels across New Zealand.  

We closely collaborate with government-led search and rescue services like the Police and the Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ). Together, we ensure a joint effort to coordinate major marine rescues, working hand in hand to keep everyone safe on the water.  

When we’re not helping on the water, we’re helping off it, providing the know-how to keep people safe and informed. Our Education and Community Engagement team are the leading providers of boating courses throughout Aotearoa, offering courses to suit all abilities, water-users, and training pathways. 

As water safety advocates, we’re committed to reducing preventable watercraft drownings. We do this by sharing all we know through education, community engagement, awareness campaigns, and by teaming up with like-minded partners across the water safety sector.  

None of this would be possible without the financial support we receive from our funders, partners, members, and donors who generously give to Coastguard so that our volunteers can continue to be there when New Zealanders need them most.  

We’re an organisation that has never stood still. With over two million keen water-users (and growing) out there, we’re committed to being more approachable, friendly, and more relevant to all New Zealanders, regardless of their background or experience on the water. Click here to learn more about our journey and focus for the future.

Saving lives on the water since ages ago  

Since the first Coastguard Unit was formed in 1898, Coastguard has been run by volunteers, and that remains the case today. We are hugely proud of our highly trained and skilled volunteers – an amazing group of people from all communities and walks of life who dedicate a huge amount of their time to keeping Kiwis safe on the water.  

We spend many hundreds of thousands of hours on search and rescue missions, radio operations, training, administration and maintenance each year. Whether it's giving great advice as people head out or helping them when they get in a spot of bother, we are side by side with people on the water, whatever their waka. 

We’re all about compassion and camaraderie, willingly exchanging the comfort of home or paid jobs to lend a helping hand when it's needed most. Keen to find your crew? Find out more about our volunteers.  

A proud history born from saving lives on the water 

In the late 19th century, concerned recreational boaties began forming independent rescue services across New Zealand due to the lack of marine safety measures. The first official lifeboat arrived in Timaru in 1864, and the first permanent rescue service was established at Sumner in 1898, which still operates today as Coastguard Sumner. 

Over the years, more volunteer-run rescue units were established, including Coastguard Auckland in 1935 which remains our largest unit. In response to maritime tragedies, such as the 1968 Wahine disaster, Coastguard volunteers united nationally, forming the Royal New Zealand Coastguard in 1976. This unity improved support, funding, and training for local units, leading to a national search and rescue service. 

By the 1980s, Coastguard expanded its focus to education and communication, offering boating safety courses and enhancing radio operations. Notable milestones include the launch of Coastguard’s Air Patrol in 1991 and the introduction of the Nowcasting weather service in 1992, helping boaties stay safe on the water. 

In 1986, this name was updated to the ‘Royal New Zealand Coastguard Federation’ when the charity granted Royal Patronage, with Prince Charles (now King Charles III) as our Patron.  

In 2020, all four regional Coastguard entities fully unified with Coastguard New Zealand creating a stronger and better resourced national organisation. Based in four locations around the motu (country), the national office provides funding, governance, operational, administrative, communications, and marketing support to the whole organisation.  

As we continue our journey to embrace and honour Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview), we've taken a significant step by embracing our ingoa (name) 'Tautiaki Moana.' This decision holds immense significance for us, stemming from the gracious taonga (gift) presented to us by Te Arawa iwi in August 2021. Being entrusted with our Māori name is an extraordinary privilege that deeply influences our daily actions, our new visual identity, and the way we share our story into the future.