Source: New Zealand First
span>New Zealand First will increase government funding of NZ Coastguard, ensuring this vital frontline service has the resources it needs to continue protecting New Zealanders on the water.
Coastguard’s annual budget (NZ$30–34m) is roughly 40% funded by the New Zealand Government and 60% by public support.
Under New Zealand First, Crown funding will increase to 70% of Coastguard’s operating costs – an increase of $12 million a year.
This investment will provide greater funding certainty and ensure Coastguard can meet growing demand while maintaining the high standards of service New Zealanders rely on.
Coastguard is New Zealand’s primary maritime search and rescue organisation. It has more than 2,000 volunteers operating from 62 units nationwide, Coastguard responds to emergencies across our coastlines, harbours, rivers and lakes, bringing thousands of New Zealanders safely home every year.
In the 2024/25 year alone, Coastguard responded to 2,785 incidents, assisted 6,792 people and saved 61 lives.
The additional funding will support critical maintenance and capability investment, including upgrades to New Zealand’s VHF maritime communications network, vessel procurement and replacement, and the purchase of essential rescue equipment.
It will also strengthen Coastguard’s volunteer workforce through improved training, capability development, and practical support measures such as subsidising volunteer travel costs.
In addition, New Zealand First will also improve coordination between Coastguard New Zealand, New Zealand Police, New Zealand Search and Rescue, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Health New Zealand and the New Zealand Defence Force. Better cooperation between agencies will improve capital procurement, strengthen interoperability, reduce duplication, and ensure emergency services can respond more effectively when lives are at risk.
Coastguard volunteers give their time freely to keep New Zealanders safe.
New Zealand First believes the Government must ensure this essential national service has the funding, equipment, and support it needs to continue saving lives of New Zealanders.
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NZFirst will review Coastguard’s funding arrangement to lift baseline funding and establish a contracting model that will ensure they receive:
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Adequate access to capital for critical maintenance and capability investment,
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Improved workforce capability, and
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Volunteer support for training, wear and tear, and call out support
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NZFirst will also review arrangements across Land Search and Rescue New Zealand, Surf Life Saving NZ, and St Johns to ensure that their volunteers are adequately supported.
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NZFirst will investigate the establishment of an ‘Emergency Response Capital Grants Fund’ so that charitable organisations involved in emergency response have a secure funding option when making decisions about replacing equipment.
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NZFirst will conduct a review of emergency management services – Coastguard, NZ Police, NZSAR, Fire and Emergency NZ, Health NZ, Civil Defence and the NZ Defence Force to improve response coordination and interoperability between services.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/15/nz-first-to-increase-funding-and-support-to-nz-coastguard/