Champions of Surf Life Saving Honoured at National Awards

The dedication and achievements of Surf Life Saving’s finest were celebrated at the 2025 Toyota Financial Services Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence, held on 4 October at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland.

Volunteer surf lifeguards, officials, instructors, coaches, and athletes from across New Zealand were recognised for their outstanding contributions to keeping communities safe on the beach. The awards highlight the commitment of thousands of members who dedicate their time and skill to saving lives and supporting their clubs.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand CEO Steve Fisher says the evening was an opportunity to honour the impact of the movement’s people.

“Every finalist has made a significant difference for their club, their community, and Surf Life Saving as a whole. Their efforts embody the values of service, teamwork, and dedication that define our organisation.”

This year’s event also marked the first time Toyota Financial Services took on naming rights for the national awards, building on their long-standing support of Surf Life Saving.

Toyota Financial Services CEO Brent Knight said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to community and safety.

“Supporting Surf Life Saving reflects our belief in giving back in ways that make a real difference. Lifeguards provide an essential service that protects the wellbeing of millions of New Zealanders who enjoy our coastlines.

“Toyota Financial Services was honoured to support the Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence and to celebrate the remarkable winners of the Toyota Financial Services Coach of the Year and Surf Sportsperson of the Year. Their achievements highlight not only exceptional talent and dedication but also the spirit of teamwork and community that defines surf lifesaving in New Zealand. We congratulate the winners on this well-deserved recognition.”

The winners of the 2025 Toyota Financial Services Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence are:

Toyota Financial Services Coach of the Year  Joel Meuli, East End SLSC

Toyota Financial Services Sportsperson of the Year  Madison Kidd, Whangamatā SLSC

Aon Official of the Year  Michelle Newton, Red Beach SLSC

Aon Sports Team of the Year Sunset Beach Open Female IRB Crew, Sunset Beach LS - Taylor Edwards & Abigail Chapman

Aon Event Safety Contribution of the Year  Ashleigh Hurring, Fitzroy SLSC

bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year  David Bentley, East End SLSC

bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year  Connor Mitchell, Waikanae SLSC

bp Rescue of the Year Bethells Beach SLSP

Instructor of the Year  Tasha Harvey, Bethells Beach SLSP

Examiner of the Year Faron Turner, Ōrewa SLSC

Junior Surf Contribution of the Year Andrew Friedlieb, Omanu SLSC

DHL Patrol Support of the Year  Hamish Pook, Raglan SLSC

DHL Under 19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year  (joint winners) Toby Low, Tairua SLSC  |  Sam Salter Palmerston North SLSC

DHL Volunteer Surf Lifeguard of the Year  Daniel Harvey, Bethells Beach SLSP

New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year Michael Barker, Bethells Beach SLSP

Congratulations also to all this year's recipients of Club Awards and Surf Life Saving Honours Awards, and thank you for your enormous contribution: 

Service Awards 

Raymond Baillie 

Timothy Ball 

Michael Barker 

Charlotte Becconsall-Ryan 

Radleigh Cairns 

Christopher Coll 

Jan Coll 

Sonia Connon 

Helena Cook 

Caylee Cooke 

Poppy Crouch 

Matthew Davoren 

Nick Devcich 

Imogen Doyle 

Shane Dwyer 

Eti Eves 

Valasi Eves 

Brian Forth 

Nikolai Gordon 

Robert Hammond 

Maddison Hare 

Chloe Harris 

Daniel Harvey 

Tasha Harvey 

Wayne Harvey 

Lachlan Hill 

Andrew Hitchfield 

Peter Jones 

Adrian Jull 

Mark Lane 

Belinda Langman 

Brenda Larsen 

Natalie Lloyd 

Andrew Macfarlane 

Kelly McColl 

Alexandra Menzies 

John Menzies 

Connor Mitchell 

Grant Mitchell 

Mike Mulcahy 

David Munro 

Ana Naden 

Kelly O’Dea 

Trent Olliver 

Bryce Pearce 

Jim Pearson 

Mark Peni 

Amy Philip 

Jason Rive 

Scotty Roberts 

Jake Shearstone 

Clyde Strickett 

Wayne Sutton 

Isaac Van der Vossen 

Sam Walters 

Rebecca Walton-Hannay 

Shalema Wanden-Hannay 

Shawn Wanden-Hannay 

Darrel Watt 

Steven Williams 

Conan Willis

Distinguished Awards  

Scott Barlett 

Ashleigh Hurring 

Gavin Mason 

John Menzies 

London Trophy

Whangārei Heads VLSLP 

Gudsell Trophy

Mairangi Bay SLSC 

Life Memberships 

Paul Carlyon 

Con Fraser 

David Hickey 

Seth McPhee 

Scott Weatherall 

50 Year Badges 

Warwick Bell 

Ross Doyle 

Grant Florence 

Patrick Flynn 

Karen Griffiths 

Greg Hall 

Jamie Hall 

John Hook 

Michael Kindred 

Edward Marsh 

Martin Robinson 

Edward (Ted) Taylor 

Peter Thorpe 

Rex Verry 

Errol Verstegen