Coastguard Canterbury volunteer and Coastguard New Zealand Board member Carolyn Tapley has been recognised with a 2026 New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Gold Award for Support Activity for her outstanding contribution to search and rescue. The award celebrates her leadership, fundraising, governance, community partnership work and unwavering commitment to keeping people safe on the water.
The NZSAR Awards, run by the New Zealand Search and Rescue Council recognise excellence and dedication across Aotearoa New Zealand’s search and rescue sector. This year’s awards include Support Awards and Operational Awards, with Gold Awards and Certificates of Achievement presented in the Support and Operational categories.
This award highlights Carolyn’s central role in securing $2.5 million to replace the earthquake-damaged Coastguard Canterbury base in Lyttelton, helping create a purpose-built facility that will serve the community and volunteers for years to come. It also notes her work in strengthening cultural partnerships through Te Pūhara Mana Iwi, building relationships with iwi, the Royal New Zealand Navy, local government, funders and the wider community.
Carolyn has served as a dedicated search and rescue volunteer with Coastguard Canterbury since 2013 and on the Coastguard New Zealand Board since 2022. Over more than 12 years, she has held key leadership roles, including 11 years on the Coastguard Canterbury Board, and has brought strong finance and government experience to her volunteer mahi.
Carolyn’s wider contribution includes welfare support for volunteers and staff, health and safety leadership, mentoring new inductees, and community education through water safety initiatives such as The Little Skippers Programme. Her award says these efforts have had a lasting impact on the organisation and the maritime community.
Coastguard New Zealand CEO Carl McOnie said, ‘Carolyn has made an extraordinary contribution to Coastguard Canterbury, Coastguard New Zealand and the wider search and rescue sector. Her leadership, professionalism, and commitment to search and rescue make a real difference in keeping our communities safe. This award is a testament not only to Carolyn’s skill and leadership, but also to the values that underpin the work we do every day. We are incredibly proud to see her contribution recognised acknowledged at a national level.’
The 2026 NZSAR Awards were presented at Parliament in Wellington last night, with the Hon James Meager hosting the ceremony. The awards recognise the achievements of the search and rescue community across Aotearoa New Zealand.
