Chris Sisarich exhibition celebrates 10 years of DHL and Surf

DHL and Surf Life Saving are marking 10 years in partnership this summer, and to celebrate the occasion, the two organisations have unveiled a public photography exhibition in Wynyard Quarter, Auckland, of surf lifesavers wearing the iconic DHL-sponsored uniform.

Highly-regarded photographer Chris Sisarich travelled all over New Zealand in January to capture Surf Life Saving volunteers, including singer-songwriter Jamie McDell and world champion and record-holding surf lifesaver Laura Quilter. The photographs are being exhibited at Te Wero Island in Wynyard Quarter in Auckland on the 14th, 15th and 16th of February (Friday - Sunday).

Sisarich is well-known in New Zealand for his lengthy and impressive career in photography. He has exhibited work in New York, San Diego and Auckland, and was recognised by Luzers Archive as one of the world's top 200 advertising photographers of 2012/2013. He recently travelled to Lebanon to cover the Syrian refugee crisis with World Vision and he was also a judge on the television show, New Zealand's Next Top Model.

The subjects of the exhibition are volunteers who each have a special relationship with both the organisations and the New Zealand beach they patrol.

"We're so proud to be celebrating 10 years of supporting Surf Life Saving, which provides such a valuable service to our community," said Tim Baxter, Country Manager, DHL Express New Zealand.

"The Surf Life Saving uniform has been sponsored by DHL since its inception in 2003. It has become an icon of the New Zealand summer, and as such we thought it was appropriate to celebrate the people wearing those uniforms - the wonderful volunteers who patrol our beaches and keep us safe during the summer period."

DHL's support goes further than just the uniform. Their support also goes towards training and providing lifeguards with the equipment they need to save more lives on New Zealand's beaches, which has contributed to the rescue of over 15,000 people over the last 10 years. Every year, DHL also sponsors the Volunteer of the Year award at Surf Life Saving's Awards of Excellence ceremony which celebrates the commitment and dedication of some of its top lifeguards.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand CEO Paul Dalton says the organisation is proud to be celebrating 10 years with DHL.

"We are thrilled to have DHL on board and to have reached this exciting milestone. For 10 years, their support has enabled us to help keep New Zealand's favourite playground, the beach, safer for Kiwis and their families to enjoy year after year. We look forward to the future and our growing partnership with DHL," he said.

Chris Sisarich said: "My family and friends all spend a lot of time in the sea and at the beaches around the North Island of New Zealand. I love the ocean and New Zealand coastline and I have a huge appreciation and respect for what the surf lifesaving community does for all of us."

Entry to the exhibition is via a gold coin donation in support of Surf Life Saving New Zealand. Visitors to the photography exhibition are also invited to go to www.dhlsaferbeaches.co.nz to vote for their favourite photograph, and enter in the draw to win the original print.

Surf Life Saving has 73 clubs around New Zealand with around 17,000 members who are supported by sponsors such as DHL. During an average season, over 1,200 people are rescued from life-threatening situations. Last year that number was over 1,600.

Event details:

DHL - 10 YEARS OF DELIVERING SAFER BEACHES by CHRIS SISARICH

Te Wero Island - Wynyard Quarter

14, 15 and 16 February

Entry via gold coin donation 

Fitzroy Beach, Taranaki. Photo by Chris Sisarich

For more information, including images, contact:

Lydia Brewer, Blue Fox PR, Email. lydia@bluefoxpr.co.nz or phone +64 27 3186 027

Or

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ, Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz or phone +64 27 648 8823

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