Rescues, first aid treatments and the lives of those who save others are set to feature in a new fly-on-the-wall series being filmed at Mount Maunganui. Saving Kiwis is a new series that has just started filming at beaches across the North Island. Mount Maunganui surf lifesavers will feature alongside those atMuriwai, Mangawhai Heads and Whangamata with filming on now until March. There are more than 1600 rescues by volunteer surf lifesavers in New Zealand each year and this series aims to show surf action as well as behind the scenes footage. Mount Maunganui patrol captain Mike Copping said the series will not be another Piha Rescue but go even further. "I think it will be good for surf lifesaving in general to raise our profile," he said. "We want to show a professional view of how the lifeguarding crews work." Filming was under way at the main beach on New Year's Eve. Cameraman Geoff Cox said he would be filming as much as he could to get a true account of how the Mount's service operates. "There's not been much action today. The beach is packed. Even on a day like this you get some first aid, a cut foot, we'll just see what happens." The series is being made by Great Southern Television, which is also behind Eating Media Lunch and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
