Whatever your waka, Coastguard Tautiaki Moana is the charity helping to keep us safe out on the water. They are the only marine search and rescue organisation in New Zealand delivering vital lifesaving services. Powered by volunteers, they rely on the generosity of people like you to support them.

From Cape Reinga to Bluff, Coastguard has over 2,000 volunteers who risk their own lives to save others. They give their time, care, commitment and courage – and ask nothing in return. Last year, they gave over 273,000 hours of their own time to help 6,300 people across 2,596 incidents – that’s around seven incidents per day!

We all think it won’t happen to us but even the best-prepared trip can go wrong, whether we’re experienced water users or not. Take two fishermen who were spending an enjoyable day fishing when a massive wave flipped their boat upside down and tossed them into the water. The pair spent a frightening 11 hours on their upturned boat. The men were rescued and reunited with their families thanks to Coastguard Nelson’s heroic efforts. They searched for the missing boaties for over four hours.

“They’d been there for about 11 hours, we reckon,” says Coastguard volunteer Wayne Harrison.

“They said the song list was getting a bit rubbish – they were singing to each other to keep their spirits up and were getting desperate. I think they were pretty glad to see us.”

It’s not just about tows and rescues. Coastguard is out and about in our communities to help prevent boating fatalities. They’re delivering water safety programmes to schools, running the Old4New lifejacket upgrade campaign and bar awareness courses.

You can support our friends at Coastguard by purchasing a Cash for Christmas lottery ticket. For just $25 a ticket, you could win the grand prize of $100,000 – imagine that for Christmas! Or win one of nine $1,000 prizes. Also, if you buy two or more tickets, you’ll go in the draw to win a $6,000 Kiwi Travel Prize with up to $1,000 in spending money! Get your tickets now online, call 0800 568 879, or follow the link here: https://www.coastguard.nz/