After the Air Patrol was phased out around 2012 there followed a period of intensive recruitment and training. These days, the unit is based out of a substantial boat shed, shared with Fire and Emergency, which was built and opened in 2018 at the Tinopai marina.
The units first dedicated rescue vessel Manaia was received by the unit in 2016 and in 2021 it was replaced by the larger Tinopai Rescue, as part of Coastguard's 4UNZ campaign which saw 22 chase boats used in the 2021 America's Cup repurposed for a new life on the water as Coastguard Rescue Vessels. All thanks to a unique partnership between Lotto New Zealand, Coastguard and Emirates Team New Zealand.
