About us
Eastern Region Coastguard is an active group of Coastguard Units within, and affiliated to Coastguard New Zealand. As the primary Maritime search and rescue service on the Central North Island eastern coast between Cuvier Island in the North to Cape Kidnappers in the South, Eastern Region Coastguard is here to make this region a safer place for boaties.
The Eastern Region Coastguard supports and assists coastguard units on the North Island East Coast and central Lakes with Training, Education, Fund Raising and Sponsorship.
It is only recently that all Coastguard units around the country have pulled together under one banner- The Royal New Zealand Coastguard (Coastguard New Zealand), and Eastern Region is an essential component of the national organisation.
There are 17 Coastguard units in the Eastern Region. Since 1976 most of these units have been independently established by communities concerned with the lack of available marine safety. These units are made up of rescue vessel commanders and crews, air patrols and communications volunteers.
This has allowed us to make the most of our search and rescue, maritime safety and marine education resources, putting us in a better position to spread the word about boating and sea safety. The Eastern Region Coastguard actively implements both local and national initiatives that make the water a safer place for keen Kiwi boaties.
At present, Eastern Region Coastguard is comprised of more than 750 dedicated active volunteers. For pictures of Coastguards In Action We have 12 dedicated search and rescue vessels in our fleet and access to aeroclub aircraft in main centres of the Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay. These are augmented by Rescue Helicopters in several cities of the region.
Although most Coastguard crew members on board our rescue vessels and air patrol craft are passionate volunteers, they undergo continuous and rigourous training, ensuring they are highly competent "professional" volunteers, so you can be safe in the knowledge that when you call Coastguard for help, you'll be in expert hands.
