2024 Surf Life Saving New Zealand Awards of Excellence 

The Surf Life Saving New Zealand Awards of Excellence take place annually across each area/region, culminating in the National Awards of Excellence in September. These are opportunities to honour and celebrate the mahi of dedicated club members who work tirelessly to ensure beachgoers get home safely.

2024 Local Area, Regional, and National Honours and Awards of Excellence Award Categories

The awards below are aligned from the area/regional to national level, and the nomination forms linked to each category open on Monday, 25 March, and close on Wednesday, 1 May 2024. 

Click below for nomination forms (Note: Only one form per person is needed for service nominations as points are cumulative):

• Service 
• Distinguished Service 
• Life Membership 
• 50-Year Badge 

The awards below are aligned from the local area to the national level, and the nomination forms linked to each category open on Monday, 25 March, and close on Wednesday, 1 May 2024. 

Click below for nomination forms (Note: Only one form per person is needed for annual nominations as the award will be fed up through the system):

• DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year 
• DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year 
• DHL Patrol Support of the Year 
• bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year 
• bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year 
• bp Rescue of the Month/Year 
• Coach of the Year
• Surf Sports Official of the Year 
• Surf Sportsperson of the Year 
• Surf Sports Team of the Year 
• Event Safety Contribution of the Year 
• Junior Surf Contribution of the Year 
• Instructor of the Year 
• Examiner of the Year
• NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year 
• Innovation Award 

To view more general honours and awards information, follow this link:  Regional and National Volunteer Honours, Awards, and Recognition Framework 2024 

To view specific annual awards information, follow this link: Appendix 1 – Local Area, Regional and Nationally Aligned Awards 2024 

2024 Local Area and Regional Specific Awards of Excellence Award Categories

Each region has additional local area or region specific awards that clubs can nominate members for.  See below: 

Northern Region Awards of Excellence

Eastern Region Awards of Excellence

Central Region Awards of Excellence 

Southern Region Awards of Excellence 

Note: For any queries regarding honours and awards, please contact your regional support team in the first instance.

Note: All nominations need to be sent via the awards@surflifesaving.org.nz email address by the closing date 1 May, 2024.

2023 SLSNZ Awards of Excellence

2022 SLSNZ Awards of Excellence 

2022 SLSNZ Awards of Excellence 

2021 SLSNZ Awards of Excellence 

2020 SLSNZ Awards of Excellence 

National Awards of Excellence Award Categories are:

• NZLGB Lifeguard of the Year
• DHL Instructor of the Year
• DHL Volunteer of the Year
• Patrol Support of the Year
• BP Rescue of the Year
• TSB Bank Coach of the Year
• TSB Bank International Sports Performance of the Year
• TSB Bank Surf Official of the Year
• DHL Innovation of the Year
• Service
• Distinguished Service
• Life Membership
• 50 Year Badge

View the full Awards Information Booklet which has more information on the background and consideration of selection for each award.

How to nominate

• Use the SLSNZ Honours Awards Nomination Form (excel) used for all SLSNZ Honours Awards (except the 50 year badge)
• Use the 50 Year Badge Nomination Form

For any queries regarding Honours & Awards, please contact the CEO on 04 560 0335 or email awards@surflifesaving.org.nz.