Coastguard North Canterbury

10/06/2026

Coastguard New Zealand’s fundraising campaign The Big Swim this year has a story super close to our unit.

Last year we were involved in a rescue up at Motunau where Julie’s son Zander was knocked overboard in large swells during the night. If not for Zander wearing a lifejacket, he may not have been able to make it back to the boat in the rough seas.

This year Julie is participating in The Big Swim to help raise money for Coastguard. Julie’s goal is to swim 20km for the month of June. Already Julie is closing in on her goal of $800.

With the power of social media we want to share this journey and see if we can reach the goal. Please click the link and donate.

Without Coastguard, Julie’s story of her son, and his friends survival could be very different.

Why not dive in for Coastguard's Big Swim this June to help save more lives on the water? Or show your support by making a donation.

29/05/2026

Rest assured, wherever you need help…. We can get there.

This video was taken after a recent call-out. Our support truck was needed down on the riverbed to assist the boat crew. Without any trouble this truck crossed river streams and climbed up and down banks in the dark. All while towing a trailer with a boat. This setup is capable of getting our rescue crews to the difficult spots. Day or night.

25/05/2026

Last night just after 8pm, our unit duty officer received a call from police to request a crew to help uplift some fellas from a stranded jet boat, after a mechanical breakdown.

They were located where the Eyre River meets the Waimakariri River, just behind Christchurch International Airport. These guys were unable to get back to the riverbank, and the fog and cold temp was starting to set in for the night.

We launched Blackwell Rescue to head upstream and look for the jet boat. Our support truck Mobile 1 then headed to the scene by road to provide communication and extra lighting. The jet boat was located fairly quickly and the lads were ferried across to awaiting friends and family on the riverbank.

Once everyone was safe, BR met up with M1 to load onto the trailer. The crew then headed back to base for washdown and recommission.

We were super impressed to see all of the crew wearing PFD’s when we arrived.

It’s turning out to be a busy year for our team, but great to put our training to good use.

19/05/2026

Recently we got a call from a member of the public that had noticed a distressed Heron in one of the trees along the Kaiapoi River.

This little mate had tangled itself in fishing line and got it wrapped up in the tree, where it was too tired to fight anymore, and was hanging by its legs.

Accessible only by boat, we got a crew together and launched Kaiapoi Rescue, to see if there was anything we could do to help this bird. We freed the bird of the fishing line and transported back to our base. One of our crew then took the Heron into Rangiora Vet Centre for a check up.

Yesterday we received a call from a wildlife expert to say the bird is back to full health and was going to be released back into the river.

It’s great to see this majestic Heron back enjoying our river. You’ll often see them perched in the trees waiting patiently for a fish to swim by, or trudging up and down the mudflats at low tide looking for food.

Please take care when disposing of fishing rubbish, so our wildlife can continue thriving.

Not our business as usual work, but we are delighted to help out with anything in the community.

09/05/2026

This afternoon our unit was paged by Canterbury Police, for an urgent response to a person trapped on their vehicle in the flooded Waimakariri River.

With the river in flood after heavy rain, our Swiftwater Rescue Team geared up and headed to the scene down by the West Melton airfield.

When we arrived we were met by Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigade, West Melton Volunteer Fire Brigade, Kirwee Volunteer Fire Brigade, and Canterbury - Fire and Emergency’s Specialist Water Response team to form a rescue plan.

Our crew in Blackwell Rescue along with FENZ water response team approached the vehicle and uplifted the owner along with both of his dogs.

Once everyone was back safely on the riverbank, we retrieved Blackwell Rescue, and headed back for base for washdown.

Even though it was a stunning day here in Christchurch, there was heavy rain in the main divide, causing the alpine rivers to flood. It always pays the check weather and river conditions before heading out.

05/05/2026

We are absolutely devastated to hear this.

We stand by our brothers and sisters over the ditch, and are deeply saddened by your loss.

With multiple bars in our area, we understand all too well the risk these brave men and women take every time go out.

These men made the ultimate sacrifice trying to save someone in genuine distress in terrible conditions. These volunteers put their hand up to help, and unfortunately didn’t make it home.

Our Coastguard whanau hurts, and you will never be forgotten.

Last night was the darkest night ever experienced by Marine Rescue NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers answer the call for help 24/7 and last night six members from Marine Rescue Ballina did just that. They launched with a single mission, to save lives on the water and assist a yacht, reported to be in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall.

Tragically, two of our volunteers lost their lives during the response.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the devastating loss is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by volunteers who serve their communities.

“These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, their fellow crew members, the brave radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the incident, the entire Marine Rescue NSW family and the wider Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are supporting our volunteers and their families through professional counselling and chaplaincy support.

“We ask that the privacy of those involved and their families be respected during this difficult time,” Commissioner Andrews said.

30/04/2026

**Local Canterbury Coastguard Units showcase innovation and specialist capability to Minister Mark Mitchell**

Last Friday, volunteers from Coastguard North Canterbury and Coastguard Sumner, together with the Coastguard New Zealand (CNZ) CEO, a member of the CNZ National Board and Regional Manager - Southern met with the Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister of Police, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Minister for Ethnic Communities, Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Associate Minister for National Security and Intelligence, at Coastguard Canterbury in Lyttelton.

The visit highlighted the leading innovation and specialist capability demonstrated by both units within Coastguard New Zealand.

Coastguard Sumner showcased its drone programme, which is helping enhance operational awareness and support safer outcomes on the water.

Coastguard North Canterbury presented its swift water and flood rescue programme, including the unit’s swift water and flood rescue history since 2017, its ongoing training, and its future direction. The team also displayed specialist equipment including Blackwell Rescue, the unit’s truck, Mobile 1, and specialised personal protective equipment required to carry out such operations.

The visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the important role Coastguard volunteers and specialist teams play in strengthening emergency response capability across the Canterbury region and beyond.

Thanks to Mark Mitchell MP, Coastguard Sumner, Coastguard Canterbury, Coastguard New Zealand for making this all happen.

23/03/2026

Photo dump alert!!

Over the weekend we were lucky enough to be invited down to Lake Tekapo for Canterbury Police large scale Search and Rescue Exercise… or SAREx as we call it.

On Friday morning we sent 8 crew down with Blackwell Rescue and Mobile 1 (our truck) packed with everything we could think of to prepare for whatever could be thrown our way. Friday started early in the morning, loading up, then making the trip south via the Fairlie Bakehouse for fuel 🤤.

We arrived at the Tekapo Military Camp otherwise known as the Hilton, to get the lay of the land and to catch up with other volunteers as they arrived. Roll on 9pm and we get our first tasking… looks like sleep isn’t happening as we had kayakers to look for, and a police drone team and Land Search & Rescue New Zealand to ferry across the lake. We managed to hit the pillow at 3:30am 😴 after being out on the incredibly dark lake, locating our targets and evacuating them from the island.

No sleep in for us either if we wanted breakfast cooked by the finest chefs NZ Defence Force has. Would you believe, the next tasking came in at 11am to work alongside Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard McKenzie Lakes looking for more kayakers. Good thing we brought our 4x4 truck, as it was tasked way up the Cass River to Waterfall hut to bring back some hunters located by a helicopter. BR was then retasked to a PLB alert up the top end of the lake. We returned back to the Hilton and climbed into bed at 11pm.

Sunday morning saw a giant debrief and team photo of the 200 participants, and big clean up before hitting the road back to Kaiapoi.

Exercises like this are designed to test all of our teams, keeping the pressure on with non stop job after job. This means when the real deal happens, our crew are ready for anything.

Thanks to Hato Hone St John for looking after all of us

Can’t wait for the next SAREx.

19/03/2026

Tomorrow we have a team heading off for the weekend with Blackwell Rescue and our truck to participate in this exercise.

This will be an amazing learning opportunity and a good chance to show off our skills in an unfamiliar environment.

Go well team, hopefully the army barracks down there will be 5 star.

Police would like to advise the Tekapo community of a multi-agency Search and Rescue training exercise taking place this week.

From Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March, Lake Tekapo will be hosting Operation Oasis, a complex, multi-phase scenario designed to test search techniques, field skills, and fatigue management in realistic conditions.

Over 200 Search and Rescue specialists from across the Canterbury District will be taking part in the exercise from Police, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Land Search and Rescue, Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, Alpine Rescue Canterbury, Hato Hone St John, and the New Zealand Defence Force.

Members of the public will see increased activity in the area, with use of helicopters, boats, and Search and Rescue personnel and equipment.

This is a planned, routine training exercise and the public should not be alarmed.

We appreciate and thank the community for their understanding and support as our teams work to maintain and enhance their capability to respond to emergencies.

15/03/2026

What an absolutely stunning day we had yesterday at the MoMac River Festival Kaiapoi.

It’s incredible to see the community out in force enjoying all of the activities on and off the river. Our highlight was certainly seeing the cardboard boats hitting the water, you can’t beat the kiwi imagination. We of course always love to show off our toys as well, thanks to Coastguard Canterbury for coming over and spending some time with us.

We were also very pleased to have Dan Gordon mayor for Waimakariri on the boat to officially open the event for 2026.

Thanks to all the community for getting down and making this event a great success. We can’t wait for the next one.