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November 25, 2025
Whanau warned to be safe in & on the water this Summer
Waatea Team
Posted On November 25, 2025
The warning are out for whanau to be careful on or in the water this Summer with Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Search & Rescue squads were involved in a number of searches, with the Ruakākā Search & Rescue squad involved in the ongoing search for a missing person around Pataua, near Whangārei.
Further north, the Far North Surf Rescue Search & Rescue squad was tasked by police to assist Westpac Rescue in the search for a rock fisher reported missing at Tapotupotu Bay near Cape Reinga. Police crews, Search and Rescue, Coastguard Air Patrol, Customs, Surf Lifesaving and Northern Rescue Helicopter were all involved in the operation, which will resume this morning.
Surf lifeguards patrolling this weekend (Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November) performed 65 rescues across the country, with 46 of those within the Northern Region, and 15 within the Eastern Region (refer to regional map below). People flocked to the beaches to make the most of the sunny weather this weekend, however large surf on both the east and west coasts in the northern region, and large surf in the Bay of Plenty, saw a significant number of rescues.
SLSNZ’s GM – Lifesaving, Andy Kent says that the conditions, which resulted in a number of rescues performed within the flagged area, are stark reminder that people must remain aware of their surroundings, and to keep watch of children in the water.
“There were 65 lives saved this weekend thanks to the vigilance of surf lifeguards. Remember, if you are heading to the beach you should check the SafeSwim website to find a lifeguarded beach, and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which show the safest place to swim. Always keep children within arm’s reach in or near the water, and if you’re unsure about the conditions, it’s always better to stay out of the water than put yourself at risk,” he says.
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