Surf Life Saving New Zealand dinner

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign).

I then specifically greet you: Your Worship Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere and President of Surf Life Saving New Zealand and your wife Barbara; Rt Hon Dr Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Patron of the Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club and your wife Alexandra; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me this event. As a joint Patron of Surf Life Saving New Zealand, along with my wife Susan, it is a pleasure to be here this evening at this gala dinner, which launches the Surf Life Saving New Zealand centenary celebrations.

I would like to take the opportunity to talk about the surf living saving movement in New Zealand, and the important role it carries out in protecting New Zealanders, and visitors to our shores, from the perils of New Zealand’s wonderful, but wild surrounding oceans.

Surf life saving is a service that we cannot do without. New Zealand has some 15,000 km of coastline  and most people live within an hour’s drive of the sea.  Ours is a nation with a love for outdoor recreation and, of the many options available to us, a day spent at the beach during the warm summer months is a particular favourite.

As the New Zealand author, Maurice Shadbolt, so aptly put it:- “New Zealand begins with the sea and ends with the sea. Understand this and you begin to comprehend New Zealand and the New Zealander. The thundering surf if our frontier.”

While time spent at the beach is, for the most part, a pleasurable experience, it can also be a dangerous place.  By the start of the 20th century drowning had become so common it was referred to as ‘The New Zealand Death’.  Combined with the growing popularity of “surf bathing” as it was called, this led to the birth of the surf life saving movement in New Zealand.  Modelled on the Australian movement, the first New Zealand clubs were established in the summer of 1910/11.

I understand the New Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, in Christchurch, to have been the first club to hold a meeting in July 1910.  Earlier this  year Susan and I visited the New Brighton club to witness the Southern Ocean Athletes Competition and celebrations of their centenary.  The Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club in Wellington closely followed, establishing itself in August 1910 and had the first official lifeguard patrols on the beach by December 1910.  Worser Bay Club in Wellington, Castlecliff Club in Wanganui and St Clair Club in Dunedin also set up patrols in the summer of 1910 – 1911 and the movement thereafter rapidly spread throughout the country.

Although the national body of Surf Life Saving New Zealand was not formed until 1932, the centenary celebrations that have now commenced recognise the 100 years of surf life saving service by clubs on New Zealand’s beaches.  That is a significant milestone and one that should be celebrated in appropriate fashion.

Given the record of service, it is not surprising that New Zealand Governors-General have been more than happy to provide vice-regal patronage to this organisation.  It was certainly a patronage request that Susan and I had no hesitation in continuing to support and to do so as a twosome.

During the last 100 years that surf life savers have been patrolling New Zealand’s beaches, I am advised that they have saved more than 50,000 people from the sea and prevented many more from being in danger.

Each of those lives saved represents many thousands more people - families and friends - who have been spared the painful grief of losing a loved one through drowning.  That is something it is almost impossible to quantify, but it should never be discounted or forgotten.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s 2010 Annual Report shows that volunteer lifeguards patrolled New Zealand’s beaches for more than 198,000 hours, rescuing 1,424 people as well as offering aid 1,798 time and completing 298 searches.

With nearly 16 000 members, and almost 900 new lifeguards qualifying during the past year, it is clear that Surf Life Saving New Zealand is continuing its growth, and, as a result, is well placed for the next 100 years.

As New Zealand’s population increases, and more people flock to the beach each and every summer, it is reassuring to know that New Zealanders and tourists are able to enjoy the coast when experienced and trained lifeguards are on patrol.

As a Patron of Surf Life Saving New Zealand, we wish to thank everyone who is, or has been, involved in New Zealand’s surf life saving moment for your outstanding contribution and commitment over the past 100 years.

And on that note combining respect for the past and anticipation of a strong future, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.