With rescues documented since the 1870’s, the first permanent rescue service was established at Sumner in 1898. Sumner Lifeboat is the oldest Coastguard unit in New Zealand.
In 1904 the Sumner Lifeboat Institution was created and took over responsibility for rescues from the harbour board. Joseph Day was the first Coxswain, and the first powered lifeboat was obtained in 1930, the first radio in 1958 and first GPS tracking system was provided by Coastguard in 2002.
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Legal Name Sumner Lifeboat Institution Inc 
Charity Number CC22950
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