Finalists announced for Volunteer Awards of Excellence!

Aotearoa, 06 September 2024 – We're delighted to announce the finalists for our Volunteer Awards of Excellence 2024!

The awards provide a special opportunity to recognise and celebrate volunteers from across Aotearoa for their unwavering commitment, dedication, and lifesaving work within our organisation.

Our finalists represent units from all over New Zealand, spanning from Hokianga in the Far North to Bluff in the South, and many places in-between. With finalists acknowledged for their mahi both on the water and behind the scenes, it’s a true celebration of the contributions Coastguard volunteers make to saving lives in their communities.

Get to know all of our finalists here and scroll down for the full announcement.

Air Patrol Volunteer of the Year: Recognising an outstanding Coastguard volunteer who is current and active with an Air Patrol unit.

Robert Brown (Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol)
John McDowell (Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol)
Daniel Soudlenkov (Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol)

Community Engagement Unit of the Year: Recognising excellence in the areas of public relations, fundraising or community engagement by a unit.

Coastguard Marlborough
Coastguard North Kaipara
Coastguard Ōpōtiki

Communications/ Incident Management Volunteer of the Year: Recognising excellence in the performance of Radio Operators and Volunteers working in Incident Management roles that support Search and Rescue and Coastguard Operations.

Ian Gabites (Coastguard Taranaki)
Jill Robertson (Communications East)
Maurice Carter (Coastguard Marlborough)

Emerging (Young) Volunteer of the Year: Recognising a newer volunteer under 30, who demonstrates the commitment and dedication required to be an outstanding volunteer, and who has already made a great contribution to their unit.

Geoff Bunn (Coastguard Taranaki)
Jessica Cameron (Coastguard Marlborough)
Leah Sinton (Coastguard North Shore)

Outstanding Leadership Award: Recognising those who make a difference and lead the way. These volunteers are held in high regard for the leadership, initiative, and commitment they bring to their unit and Coastguard.

Jeff Cramp (Coastguard Hokianga)
Arne Pallentin (Coastguard Wellington)
John Quinn (Coastguard Queenstown)
Wayne Williams (Coastguard Bluff)

Rescue of the Year: The Coastguard Rescue of the Year is a prestigious award that recognises an exceptional rescue crew who has undertaken an outstanding search and rescue or Coastguard operation.

Coastguard Dunedin
Coastguard Hawke’s Bay
Coastguard South Taranaki
Coastguard Wellington

Rescue Vessel Volunteer of the Year: Recognising a volunteer whose commitment, contribution and dedication to their role on board a Coastguard Rescue Vessel has been continually demonstrated to their unit.

Edward (Ed) Bezett (Coastguard Marlborough)
Andrew (Andy) Thornton (Coastguard North Canterbury)
Graham Weakley (Coastguard Wellington)

Unit of the Year: Recognising the unit who in the past year has achieved excellence in all aspects of its management and operational activities.

Coastguard Kaipara
Coastguard Marlborough
Coastguard Queenstown

Unit Support Volunteer of the Year: Recognising excellence in supporting roles such as board or committee roles, shore crew, training officers, secretaries and other non-operational volunteers.