News

SLSNZ Announces Winners of the Hawkes Bay Awards of Excellence 

Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is proud to announce the winners of the Hawkes Bay Awards of Excellence. The 2024/25 winners were announced on Sunday, 15 June at a function held at the Ellwood Function Centre in Hastings. 

 

The annual Awards of Excellence recognise and celebrate the skill and commitment of surf lifeguards who make a meaningful contribution towards saving lives, developing great New Zealanders, and keeping beachgoers safer. That mahi not only includes the hours watching over people on our beaches, but also those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes training current and future surf lifeguards, managing administration, and coaching and participating in surf lifesaving sport.  

 

SLSNZ Central Regional Manager Charlie Cordwell, said, “Congratulations to everyone who received an award on Sunday night and thank you for the contribution you make to Surf Life Saving in Hawkes Bay.”  

 

This year’s coveted DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year Award was won by Morgan List from Waimārama Surf Lifesaving Club. 

 

Cornelius Venter, Waimārama Director of Lifeguarding said, “As a junior lifeguard Morgan has shown great promise when it comes to supporting her fellow team members and club mates on patrol, she always brings a positive attitude and a can-do approach.” 

 

Rhys Harman from Waimārama won the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year. Waimārama Chair, Ken Laurie, said “After 18 years involved with surf lifesaving, Rhys still gives without question and is 100% committed. Whether it be general lifeguarding, IRBs or being part of the club’s board – his input is very much valued.” 

 

The Hawkes Bay Awards of Excellence brought together Ocean Beach Kiwi, Pacific, Waimārama and Westshore Surf Life Saving clubs. 

 

Full list of winners: 

 

DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year  

Morgan List, Waimārama 

DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year  

Jacob Lawrence, Waimārama 

DHL Patrol Support of the Year  

Bob Dickson, Waimārama 

bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year  

Beau Marshall, Waimārama 

Toyota Financial Services Coach of the Year 

Rhys Harman, Waimārama 

Toyota Financial Services Surf Sportsperson of the Year  

Lucy Kinnear, Waimārama 

Aon Surf Sports Official of the Year  

Yvonne Clark, Waimārama 

Aon Surf Sports Team of the Year  

Under 19 IRB team (Morgan List and Tayla Hook), Waimārama 

Aon Event Safety Contribution of the Year  

Mika Moenchmeier, Waimārama 

Junior Surf Contribution of the Year  

Kathryn Sheridan, Waimārama 

Instructor of the Year  

Tayla Hook, Waimārama 

Examiner of the Year 

Jason Broome, Waimārama 

NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year  

Rhys Harman, Waimārama 

Beach Ed Instructor of the Year 

Tarsh Brewer, Westshore 

Paid Lifeguard of the Year 

Luca Broome, Waimārama 

Club of the Year 

Pacific