A new mobile patrol unit is now in action on Papamoa Beach.

Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club, who have the largest stretch of beach in New Zealand to patrol, will be trialing the new custom-built quadtruck for the whole summer season.

Club chairperson Ross Merrett says it's like having a Christmas present arrive early.

'It's a unique option that we've never had before.”

The self-contained quadtruck comes with a fold up patrol observation platform, public address system, hazard lights, and stretcher loading and carrying features, along with a host of other operational rescue features.

Ross says the fold-up observation platform meant they could now be protected from the elements, and the hazard lights were essential.

'We've had three after-hours call-outs in the last six weeks.”

Chairperson of the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club Ross Merrett.

He says the unit will make a substantial difference this summer.

'We haven't been able to have a roaming service the last two seasons.

'We can now start operating to our full capacity.”

The makers of the quadtruck, Impact Off Road, whose trucks are normally used for agricultural and horticultural industries, say designing them for the beach was the next logical progression.

'They're great for agriculture- what about the beach?”

Sales manager Ian Anderson says it was a collaborative design process.

They took feedback from the lifeguards with what they wanted and needed.

'We brought it all together and this is what we produced.”

The process started around six months ago and the engineering process took about three months.