About Us

Eastern Region

Eastern Region Coastguard is an active group of Coastguard Units within, and affiliated to Coastguard New Zealand. As the primary Maritime search and rescue service on the Central North Island eastern coast between Cape Colville in the North to Castle Point in the South, Eastern Region Coastguard is here to make this region a safer place for boaties.

The Eastern Region Coastguard supports and assists coastguard units on the North Island East Coast and central Lakes with Training, Education, Fund Raising and Sponsorship.

There are 17 Coastguard units in the Eastern Region. Since 1976 most of these units have been independently established by communities concerned with the lack of available marine safety. These units are made up of rescue vessel commanders and crews, air patrols and communications volunteers.

This has allowed us to make the most of our search and rescue, maritime safety and marine education resources, putting us in a better position to spread the word about boating and sea safety. The Eastern Region Coastguard actively implements both local and national initiatives that make the water a safer place for keen Kiwi boaties.

At present, Eastern Region Coastguard is comprised of more than 570 dedicated active volunteers. There are 18 dedicated search and rescue vessels in our fleet and access to aeroclub aircraft in main centres of the Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay. These are augmented by Rescue Helicopters in several cities of the region.