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Coastguard Hibiscus volunteer Rachel Hessey has been named a finalist in the 2026 Westfield Local Heroes awards, putting the rescue unit in the running for a $20,000 grant.
As the unit’s only woman qualified as a master, Hessey helps connect crews with the community, encourages more women into maritime rescue and supports lifesaving operations across the Hauraki Gulf.
If successful, the $20,000 grant will fund regular on-water training for 45 volunteers over two years.
“Rachel has been a driving force at Coastguard Hibiscus, which has been duly recognised with this nomination. Since then, she’s been busy juggling meetings with the Westfield team, a video shoot, brochure runs and an in-centre launch,” Coastguard New Zealand said.
“Her dedication is typical of the volunteers who make up Coastguard’s units around the country with hours of quiet, unpaid effort behind the scenes so that our crews can keep doing what they do best on the water.”
The community vote opened on 25 August and runs until 20 September. You can vote here.
