Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Coastguard - Ko te manawa o Tautiaki Moana, ko ngā Kaitūao
Without thousands of Coastguard volunteers nationwide answering the call of their communities, New Zealand would have no maritime search and rescue service. Our volunteers are the ones on the frontline, crewing rescue vessels and aircraft, operating radios, coordinating search and rescue incidents, and saving lives at sea. The vast majority of Coastguard units are run entirely by volunteers, some of whom fill a number of administrative roles so, even if you only have a few hours per month to give or don’t fancy the water - there’s a role for you.

What's in it for me? – He aha tāku i whiwhi ai?
You'll get an amazing sense of reward and camaraderie, mental and physical challenges, and the priceless opportunity to save lives on the water.
- The excitement and challenge of life on the water, on shore or in the air
- First class training
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Risk assessment experience
- Personal development
- Clear pathways for progression
- New friendships with like-minded people
There are a range of benefits available to our people, check these out here.