Aotearoa, September 23 2025 - They’ve braved rough conditions, answered urgent calls, and given countless hours to their communities - and today, we celebrate the very best of Coastguard.
Coastguard Tautiaki Moana is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Volunteer Awards of Excellence, recognising the outstanding individuals and units whose courage, commitment, and care have made a lasting impact across Aotearoa.
From remote bays to busy marinas, these volunteers are the heartbeat of Coastguard - saving lives, supporting whānau, and strengthening the connection between people and the water.
“These awards honour the people who show up, time and time again, not for recognition but because they care,” says Carl McOnie, CEO of Coastguard Tautiaki Moana. “Their dedication is humbling, and their impact is immeasurable.”
Coastguard extends heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, finalists, and nominees for this year’s Awards of Excellence.
Here's a link to our 2025 winners!
Supreme Award Volunteer of the Year/Outstanding Leadership Award: Trevor Farmer (Coastguard Mana)
Outstanding Leadership Award Finalists: Reinhard Wirtenberger (Coastguard North Shore) and Paul Psaila (Coastguard Auckland).
The highest honour of this year goes to Trevor Farmer, who has been recognised as our Supreme Volunteer of the Year for 2025.
This award is reserved for someone whose service, leadership, and dedication stand above all others - and Trevor embodies these qualities in every way. From his decades of leadership at Coastguard Mana to his tireless commitment to mentoring volunteers and saving lives on the water, Trevor has inspired not only his unit, but the entire Coastguard whānau.
He is the kind of leader who lifts others up, the crewmate who never asks for recognition, and the role model we are proud to celebrate. Trevor’s legacy will continue to shape Coastguard for years to come, and we are honoured to recognise him with this award.
Trevor also receives the Outstanding Leadership Award. Over decades of service, Trevor has trained and mentored countless volunteers while leading with humility, courage, and teamwork. His calm guidance and commitment to building capability at Mana have left a lasting impact, inspiring those around him to achieve their best.
Click here to read more about Trevor.
Operational Crew Member of the Year: Peter Herrick (Coastguard Nelson)
Finalists: Michael Kern (Coastguard Hibiscus) and Matt Chapman (Coastguard Auckland).
Congratulations to Peter Herrick, our Operational Crew Member of the Year.
From training and mentoring to leading life-saving rescues, Peter’s leadership and positivity have helped transform Coastguard Nelson into a thriving and supportive team. His ability to teach through real-life challenges and keep crew focused has built a strong, capable unit.
Read more about Peter here!
Communications/Incident Management Volunteer of the Year: Bo Baines (Coastguard Marlborough)
Finalists: Fiona Rist (Coastguard Hibiscus) and Jason Bartlett (Coastguard Riverton)
Bo Baines takes home the Communications/Incident Management Volunteer of the Year award. Known for her calm presence and caring nature, Bo has coordinated dramatic multi-crew rescues and created resources to empower her teammates. Her cool head under pressure and genuine care for people make her a trusted voice on the radio and in the unit.
Click here for more about amazing Bo!
Unit Support Volunteer of the Year: Jeff Benson (Coastguard Lake Taupō)
Finalists: Heather Boon (Coastguard Whakatāne) and Stephen Jarvis (Coastguard Queenstown).
The Unit Support Volunteer of the Year award goes to Jeff Benson whose determination secured vital new river rescue equipment and strengthened partnerships with local hapū. His efforts have not only improved rescue capability but also built strong trust with the community, making Taupō safer for everyone on the water.
Learn more about Jeff's achievements here.
Emerging (Young) Volunteer of the Year: Leah Sinton (Coastguard North Shore) and Ryan Spence (Coastguard Marlborough)
Finalists: Holly Coplestone (Coastguard South Taranaki) and Reuben Haigh (Coastguard Riverton).
Our Emerging Volunteer of the Year awards go to Leah Sinton (North Shore) and Ryan Spence (Marlborough). Leah has already logged over 600 hours, helmed rescues, and onboarded new volunteers, all while studying for her master’s degree. She’s shown maturity well beyond her years, proving to be a positive role model for younger members.
Ryan, at just 19, leads Marlborough’s youth programme, mentors his peers, and brings innovative ideas to his unit’s operations. His leadership and drive are setting the stage for an exciting Coastguard future.
Click here to read more about Leah and Ryan!
Rescue of the Year: Coastguard Sumner
Finalists: Coastguard Auckland x2
This year’s Rescue of the Year belongs to Coastguard Sumner, who responded in minutes to save an injured man stranded on a cliff face. With creativity, quick thinking, and seamless teamwork across agencies, they brought him safely home. Their ingenuity and persistence highlight the very best of Coastguard at work, showing how strong collaboration and courage can turn a near tragedy into a story of survival.
Read more about this incredible rescue here.
Unit of the Year: Coastguard Sumner
Finalists: Coastguard Raglan and Coastguard Wānaka Lakes.
Coastguard Sumner also claim Unit of the Year, recognised for their innovation with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drift trackers, strong governance, and outstanding community engagement - all while continuing their lifesaving mahi. Their ability to balance cutting-edge technology with community connections makes them a shining example of what a modern Coastguard unit can be.
Check out all about Sumner here.
Unit Innovation of the Year: Coastguard Queenstown
Finalists: Coastguard Nelson, Coastguard Auckland, and Coastguard Wanganui.
For their cutting-edge technology upgrades, including Starlink comms, night vision, and an underwater drone, Coastguard Queenstown are awarded the inaugural Innovation Unit of the Year award. These advancements mean faster, safer responses in icy waters and ensure their crew are equipped to handle some of the toughest conditions in Aotearoa. By embracing innovation, Queenstown have set the standard for how Coastguard units can use technology to save lives more effectively.
Read more about Queenstown's innovation here.
Community Engagement Unit of the Year: Coastguard Nelson
Finalists: Coastguard Queenstown and Coastguard Canterbury.
Coastguard Nelson are our Community Engagement winners, after a year of supporting schools, youth, iwi, and emergency partners, while honouring the legacy of their late Community Engagement Officer, Harry (Wayne Harrison). Their bar crossing seminars, outreach programmes, and flood response efforts show the power of teamwork and connection with community. Nelson have shown that engagement isn’t just about events - it’s about building long-lasting trust, relationships, and resilience across an entire region.
Click here to learn more Nelson's mahi this year.
ENDS
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