Theft from Pukehina Surf Rescue risks patrol season

The theft of two quad bikes, newly installed radio equipment, a rescue board and some first aid gear from Pukehina Surf Rescue overnight has put the small club's patrol season at risk.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Regional Manager Chris Emmett says the club was broken into at 4.30am this morning.

"The club has a monitored alarm but by the time locals had responded, the thieves were too quick and had already made off with the equipment," he says.

Pukehina Club Captain Kevin Barugh says the theft is devastating and being a smaller club they will struggle to replace the equipment in a short period of time.

"At a replacement cost of around $30,000, it is a huge amount of money for a voluntary organisation to cover and the timing could not be worse with voluntary weekend patrols starting at Pukehina on December 13 and the weekday Regional Lifeguard Service starting on December 22," he says.

The police have been contacted and anyone who has information about the theft is urged to contact police immediately. 

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz