Finalists Announced for the 2026 Toyota Financial Services Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence

Finalists Announced for the 2026 Toyota Financial Services Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence

Volunteer Surf Lifeguards, officials, instructors, coaches, and athletes from across the country have been named as finalists for the 2026 Toyota Financial Services Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) CEO Steve Fisher says the awards are an important opportunity to celebrate the individuals who give so much of their time, energy, and skill to keeping New Zealanders safe at the beach.

“Last season, our volunteers spent more than 300,000 hours on patrol. In that time, they performed over 750 rescues, a further 950 assists and provided close on 1,700 first aid responses, in addition, our members carried out more than 47,000 preventative actions to stop people getting into difficulty. These are incredible achievements that reflect the dedication of thousands of members across the country,” he says.

These annual awards spotlight the remarkable enthusiasm and commitment that members bring to a wide variety of roles within Surf Life Saving. Every finalist has made a significant contribution to their club, their local community, and the overall success of the movement nationwide.

Toyota Financial Services continues its proud support as the naming rights sponsor for the national awards. Their ongoing partnership reflects a shared dedication to community wellbeing, water safety, and recognising the extraordinary people who protect millions of beachgoers along our coastlines each summer.

The 2026 Toyota Financial Services Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence will celebrate these outstanding achievements and announce the winners, alongside service awards, distinguished service awards, life memberships, and 50-year badges.

Finalists

Toyota Financial Services Coach of the Year

• Tom Jacka, Red Beach SLSC
• Cory Hutchings, Omanu SLSC
• Zac Reid, Fitzroy SLSC
• Jimmy Feathery, Taylors Mistake SLSC

Toyota Financial Services Sportsperson of the Year

• Zoe Crawford & Fergus Eadie, Mairangi Bay SLSC
• Madison Kidd, Whangamatā SLSC
• Claudia Kelly, East End SLSC
• Tiago Chamberlain, Taylors Mistake SLSC

Aon Official of the Year

• Leah Blincoe, Mairangi Bay SLSC
• Joanne Miller, Pāpāmoa SLSC
• Teri Anderson, Paekākāriki SLSC
• Tesimale Ah Kuoi, South Brighton SLSC

Aon Sports Team of the Year

• Mairangi Bay 4x50 Mixed Lifesaver Relay, Mairangi Bay SLSC (Zoe Crawford, Rae Kwan, Fergus Eadie & Harrison Klouwens)
• Omanu Open Male Boat Crew, Omanu SLSC (Clayton Kellett, Joshua Nicholas, Noah Kellett, Zane Sweetman & Sergio Schuler)
• Titahi Bay Twin Turbos Surf Boat Crew, Titahi Bay SLSC (Tim Marsden, Christian Donkin, Conor Devery, Alex Joyce & Liam McVicar)
• St Clair U23 Female IRB Team, St Clair SLSC (Charlotte Underwood-Nicol & Mereana Martin)

Aon Event Safety Contribution of the Year

• Paige Waddel, Mairangi Bay SLSC
• Donal Boyle, Omanu SLSC
• Thomas Downs, Lyall Bay SLSC
• Paul Gager, Warrington SLSC

bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year

• Kath Manning, Waipu Cove SLSC
• Mike King, Wainui SLSC
• James Newell, Whanganui SLSC
• Imogen Doyle, St Kilda SLSC

bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year

• Bryce Pearce, Muriwai VLS
• Connor Mitchell, Waikanae SLSC
• Rhys Harman, Waimārama SLSC
• Tim Harris, Spencer Park SLSC

bp Rescue of the Year

• Muriwai Paid Lifeguard Service & Muriwai SAR
• Gisborne SAR
• Foxton SLSC & Palmerston North SLSC
• ECHO Patrol, Taylors Mistake SLSC

Instructor of the Year

• Daniel Harvey, Bethells Beach SLSP
• Rama Robertson, Midway SLSC
• Angela Veric, New Plymouth Old Boys SLSC
• Mereana Martin, St Clair SLSC

Examiner of the Year

• Tom Burgess, Ōrewa SLSC
• Sonia Keepa, Wainui SLSC
• Tessa Bruin, Worser Bay SLSC
• Aogan McGuinness, Waimairi SLSC

Junior Surf Contribution of the Year

• Evelyn Michael, Muriwai VLS
• Jenna Waite-Leonard, Pāpāmoa SLSC
• Daniel Comp, Whanganui SLSC
• Riki Fahey, North Beach SLSC

DHL Patrol Support of the Year

• Jacqui Peck, Piha SLSC
• Rama Robertson, Midway SLSC
• Diana Murfitt, Titahi Bay SLSC
• Ben Isles, Sumner SLSC

DHL Under 19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year

• Olivia Moroney-Pearson, Raglan SLSC
• Tama Hawkins, Mount Maunganui LS
• Ash Maskell, Titahi Bay SLSC
• Lucy Ryan, Spencer Park SLSC

DHL Volunteer Surf Lifeguard of the Year

• Karel Witten-Hannah QSM, Piha SLSC
• Liam Shanahan, Mount Maunganui LS
• Jacob Crawley, Ocean Beach Kiwi SLSC
• Flynn McGuinness, Taylors Mistake SLSC

New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year

• Brianna Gleeson, United North Piha LS
• Brent Warner, Mount Maunganui LS
• Matt Warren, Paekākāriki SLSC
• Dean Le Warne, North Beach SLSC

Innovation Award

• Training Flag, Faron Turner, Ōrewa SLSC
• Gavin Haddon, Pauanui SLSC
• Peter Housiaux, Ōtaki SLSC