After more than five years of planning, Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services has reached a major milestone – breaking ground on the Bowentown Rescue Hub.

This long-awaited facility, now officially consented for construction, will be a critical asset for lifeguards and emergency services, improving response times and ensuring safer outcomes for those in need.

In February, representatives from key stakeholder groups gathered for a ground-breaking ceremony, marking the beginning of a project that will transform the management of rescues, searches and first aid treatments at Bowentown Beach.

The event included a special Māori blessing, with Reon Tuanau and his father, kaumātua Roger Tuanau, of Te Whanau a Tauwhao hapū.

A new era for lifesaving at Bowentown

For 25 years, lifeguards have patrolled Bowentown Beach without a dedicated base, responding to emergencies from the Waihī Beach clubhouse, a series of huts, gazebos and, more recently, a mobile patrol van. The new hub will change that.

“This is a game-changer,” senior lifeguard and search and rescue co-ordinator Andrew Cochrane said.

“For years, we’ve responded from North End, packing and transporting equipment before we could even begin a search or rescue.

“During the floods in May 2023, we lost all access to our vital equipment, rescue vehicles and clubhouse. Having a purpose-built hub at Bowentown means faster response times – and in our line of work, that can mean the difference between life and death.”

Beyond surf lifesaving, the facility will be available as a vital emergency response hub for incidents requiring collaboration among agencies, including police, fire, ambulance and Coastguard.

It will include a dedicated first aid treatment room, providing privacy and improved care for patients – a major improvement on present conditions where first aid is often administered on the beach.

Equipping the hub

Building consent has been secured and construction is expected to start in five or six weeks. By mid-year, the Bowentown Rescue Hub will need to be fully equipped with emergency gear.

A list of required items is being updated regularly and some have already been generously donated. Anyone interested in supporting the project can check the list and get in touch to help fill the remaining gaps.

A community effort

The project has been made possible thanks to the support of key funders, including TECT and Valder Ohinemuri Charitable Trust, and the dedication of professionals who have guided the process.

A special mention goes to Craig McQuoid Consulting, which provided its services free of charge, playing a crucial role in bringing the project to this point. Kirk Roberts has guided the preliminary stages of the build.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by representatives from Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Western Bay of Plenty District Council (including Mayor James Denyer), local iwi, community groups, and emergency services. The symbolic first turn of the soil was performed by Andrew Cochrane (Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services), John Mutlow (Otawhiwhi Marae), James Denyer (Western Bay of Plenty district mayor) and Mike Crosby (Bowentown Beach Holiday Park).

A lineup of stakeholders: L-R Avan Polo, Regional Manager SLSNZ Eastern Region, Roger Tuanau, Christiaan Maarhuis Senior Lifeguard & Board member, Garston Smith Otawhiwhi Marae Environmental Coordinator, Andrew Cochrane, John Mutlow, James Denyer Mayor WBoPDC, Mike Crosby Bowentown Beach Holiday Park, Reon Tuanau, Hiria Kayes, SLSNZ Club Support Lead – Coromandel, Donna Pfefferle Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Club Chair, Kelvin Blackwell Project Manager.

With more than 5320 hours of patrols, seven rescues, 13 assists, 1470 preventive actions, 11 searches and 64 first aid cases already recorded this season, the need for this facility is undeniable. This isn’t just about a building – it’s about saving lives and serving the community for years to come.

For more information on how to support the project or donate essential equipment, and to see more photos of this symbolic ceremony, go to https://www.waihibeachlifeguards.co.nz/breaking-ground-on-the-bowentown-rescue-hub/