Surf Life Savers Support

MP Clayton Mitchell. Photo/Andrew Warner

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) needs to be officially recognised as an 'Emergency Services Provider. I've been involved in surf life saving since I was 7, and with the Omanu club since 2006, and summer is on its way. Surf life savers have a vitally important role in the summers of a lot of New Zealanders and our international guests.

A couple of weeks ago the National Pool Rescue Championships took place in Auckland, and I want to congratulate all of our local club teams - the Mount, Omanu, and Papamoa - for their strong performances, both in my capacity as New Zealand First's Spokesperson on Sport and Recreation, and as a Tauranga local surf life saving member and fan.

The Mount successfully defended their title, with Omanu coming 10th, and Papamoa 14th. Well done all teams, you've done us proud!

We can be proud of our surf life savers for a lot of reasons, but I think they deserve huge accolades for being such a crucial part of us all enjoying our awesome beaches safely.

Some countries don't have surf life savers - you go into the beach taking your chances - and some other countries - like the USA - pay their life savers, which sounds like the best summer job ever.

Here in New Zealand, we have thousands of people up and down the country freely volunteering their time all summer to help keep us all safe. I can't imagine summer without the beach and the familiar red and yellow flags keeping it safe to enjoy.

So let's celebrate our local champions and competitors, and remember that the lives saved, incidents prevented, and the education provided by SLSNZ, are invaluable. Unfortunately, too many volunteers are taken away from their core responsibility, to shake the bucket and do fundraising, because it is not financially supported by central government or formally recognised as an Emergency Service Provider.