SLSNZ Announces Winners of the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty Awards of Excellence
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is proud to announce the winners of the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty Awards of Excellence. The 2025/26 winners were announced on Saturday 25 July at a function held at the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club.
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 Eastern Regional Manager Avan Polo said, “These awards are about recognising the people who make a real difference in our communities. Our lifeguards and volunteers give their time, skills, and energy to keep others safe, and it’s important that we take the opportunity to thank them for all they do. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Your dedication and service are valued, and we’re proud of the contribution you make to your clubs, your communities, and surf lifesaving across the Eastern Region.”
This year’s coveted DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year Award for the Bay of Plenty was won by Liam Shanahan from Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service. Liam also took home a Regional Service Award for his long-time service to the Eastern Region.
Fergus Reiger, Bay of Plenty Lifesaving Committee Chair, said, "Liam is a highly committed and well-rounded member of Surf Life Saving whose professionalism, versatility, and commitment to service embody the values of our movement. From lifeguarding and event safety to supporting club initiatives, regional committees, and Search and Rescue operations, he consistently goes above and beyond. His dedication to developing others, serving his community, and contributing at every level makes him an outstanding representative of Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service."
Another standout recipient was Bella Muir from Tairua Surf Lifesaving Club who has taken out Coromandel Patrol Captain of the Year, Coromandel Paid Lifeguard of the Year, Bay of Plenty Beach Education Instructor of the Year, and was a member of the crew taking home Coromandel Rescue of the Year.
The Coromandel and Bay of Plenty Awards of Excellence brought together Hot Water Beach, Tairua, Pauanui, Onemana, Whangamatā, Whiritoa, Waihī Beach, Mount Maunganui, Ōmanu Beach, Pāpāmoa, Maketū, Pukehina, Ōpōtiki and Whakatanē Surf Life Saving clubs.
Full list of Coromandel/Bay of Plenty winners:
Harrison Mundy Memorial Rookie Lifeguard of the Year
- Olivia Halls, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Full list of Coromandel winners:
DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year
- Ryan Lock, Pāuanui SLSC
DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year
- Luke Butler, Waihī Beach LS
DHL Patrol Support of the Year
- Sharlene Manukau, Waihī Beach LS
Patrol Captain of the Year
- Bella Muir, Tairua SLSC
Paid Lifeguard of the Year
- Bella Muir, Tairua SLSC
Beach Education Instructor of the Year
- Danielle Travers, Whangamatā SLSC
bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year
- Nicholas Wagstaff, Waihī Beach LS
bp Rescue of the Year
- Tairua SLSC – 6 January 2026
Junior Surf Contribution of the Year
- Briarna Higgs, Tairua SLSC
Instructor of the Year
- Briarna Higgs, Tairua SLSC
Examiner of the Year
- Matheiu Reid, Pāuanui SLSC
NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year
- Charlotte Toumadj, Onemana SLSC
Innovation Award
- Club Resilience Pack, Pāuanui SLSC
Patrol Club of the Year
- Pāuanui SLSC
Overall Club of the Year
- Whangamatā SLSC
Full list of Bay of Plenty winners:
DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year
- Liam Shanahan, Mount Maunganui LS
DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year
- Tama Hawkins, Mount Maunganui LS
DHL Patrol Support of the Year
- Hamish Nathan, Mount Maunganui LS
bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year
- Olivia Kayes, Ōmanu
bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year
- Ryan Hohneck, Pāpāmoa SLSC
bp Rescue of the Year
- Western Bay of Plenty SAR Squad
Instructor of the Year
- Jamie Mardon, Pāpāmoa SLSC
Examiner of the Year
- Nikyla Halls, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Patrol Captain of the Year
- Nicola Mansel, Ōpōtiki SLSC
Paid Lifeguard of the Year
- Liam Neal, Mount Maunganui LS
Beach Education Instructor of the Year
- Bella Muir, Tairua SLSC
Junior Surf Contribution of the Year
- Jenna Waite-Leonard, Pāpāmoa SLSC
NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year
- Brent Warner, Mount Maunganui LS
Patrol Club of the Year
- Maketū SLSC
Overall Club of the Year
- Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Full list of Coromandel/Bay of Plenty Sport winners:
Toyota Financial Services Coach of the Year
- Cory Hutchings, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Toyota Financial Services Surf Sportsperson of the Year
- Madison Kidd, Whangamatā SLSC
Aon Surf Sports Official of the Year
- Joanne Miller, Pāpāmoa SLSC
Aon Surf Sports Team of the Year
- Ōmanu Open Mens Boat Crew: Clayton Kellett (Sweep), Joshua Nicholas, Noah Kellett, Zane Sweetman and Sergio Schuler
Aon Event Safety Contribution of the Year
- Donal Boyle, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Emerging Surf Sport Official
- Dean Jury, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Volunteer Coach of the Year
- Matthew Strange, Pāpāmoa SLSC
Emerging Coach of the Year
- Max Morley, Waihī Beach SLSC
Athletes of the Year
- Max Page, Waihī Beach
- Amelia McEwan, Mount Maunganui
- Sam Shivnan, Ōmanu Beach
- Emily O’Driscoll, Ōmanu Beach
- Oliver Pepers, Ōmanu Beach
- Olivia Verryt, Ōmanu Beach
- Alec Stewart, Ōmanu Beach
- Pipi Te Pania, Ōmanu Beach
- Owen Miller, Pāpāmoa
- Deborah Reardon, Mount Maunganui
- Gus Shivnan, Ōmanu Beach
- Pippa Nicol, Mount Maunganui
Coaches Commitment Award
- Ryan Scholes, Mount Maunganui
- Sam Cameron, Ōmanu
- Georgia Davoren, Pāpāmoa
- Alan Craig, Pukehina
- Ella-Rose Luke, Whangamatā
- Connor Miller, Waihī Beach