Emergency services report calm summer

The new Mangawhai Coastguard service has had a quiet summer so far, giving volunteers time to concentrate on training.

Spokesperson Grant Dixon said the team responded to five callouts over the peak summer period, including two vessels that needed assistance after breaking down.

“One was in very rough conditions, and the job was carried out in conjunction with Whangārei Coastguard,” Dixon said.

Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS) Tony Baker said the beach was relatively busy over summer and there were a handful of minor incidents.

“Although poor weather was a defining feature of the Christmas period, it didn’t seem to deter beachgoers, with consistent numbers of swimmers and a constant flow of visitors”, Baker said.

Statistics from Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) for the period beginning on December 1 recorded five successful rescues, nine first aid treatments, and a peak beach headcount of 865 people on January 4.

The Surf Life Saving New Zealand Regional Lifeguard Service will continue operating daily services from 10am to 6pm on weekdays until mid-February. Meanwhile, MHVLS volunteer lifeguards will continue to operate on weekends and public holidays through to Easter.

At the same time, the Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade has responded to 25 incidents since December 1. These included six vegetation fires, six miscellaneous callouts, two weather-related events, three structure fires, four medical responses, three motor vehicle accidents and one fire alarm activation.

Brigade members highlighted the importance of families taking time to discuss fire safety and ensuring that smoke alarms were working properly.

Police also had a quiet summer with only a small number of minor incidents. Breath alcohol tests were conducted at various locations, with alcohol detected in only a small number of cases.

Inspector John Thornley, from the Waitematā North Area Command, said that Police would maintain a visible presence over Auckland Anniversary Weekend and Waitangi Day to ensure everyone could enjoy the long weekends safely.