On New Zealand’s untamed west coast, beauty and danger go hand-in-hand. From shifting sandbars to sudden squalls and booming surf, the waters off the Waikato region are no place to get caught unprepared. For the Raglan Volunteer Coastguard, this means one thing: being ready to launch at a moment’s notice — because out here, the ocean rarely gives second chances.
Over the past year, this small but highly trained unit has answered 58 callouts and brought 100 people safely home. In the process, its volunteers have clocked more than 8,000 hours of service — all unpaid, all vital. “We’re on standby 24/7, 365 days a year,” says volunteer Harry Series. “When the pager goes off, we go — day or night, no matter the weather.”
Challenging Waters, Complex Rescues
The Raglan unit’s area of operation runs from Port Waikato to Mokau — a notoriously unpredictable stretch that includes the infamous Raglan Bar. This narrow harbour entrance is known for steep breaking waves, swift tidal surges and frequent groundings.
Series warns: “We always advise avoiding crossings within two hours either side of low tide. And always check tide, swell, and wind conditions before heading out. The Bar is not to be taken lightly.”
Recent months have pushed the team hard. In May alone, they responded to three capsizes — all in surf zones, all involving vessels under five metres. These incidents aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They’re stories of real people, narrow escapes, and the importance of preparation.
Rescue One: Remote Cliffside Extraction – 8 May 2025
A small boat capsized near Whale Bay, and by nightfall, two people were stranded near Woody Head — an exposed, rocky point in deteriorating seas. Raglan’s rescue jet skis launched first, backed by Gallagher Rescue and a team of seven. After a search, a faint light on the rocks gave the pair’s location away. A Coastguard swimmer reached them, but evacuation by sea wasn’t possible. It took the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to winch them out — seven hours after the initial alert.
Rescue Two: Bar Crossing Collapse – 11 May 2025
Just three days later, four people attempting a Raglan Bar crossing found themselves in the water after their boat sank. They hadn’t logged a bar crossing, and no lifejackets were on board. A Coastguard volunteer spotted them clinging to a chilly bin nearly a kilometre offshore. One was in critical condition. While the rescue teams raced to the scene, another person was pulled from a rip on the way back in — an unexpected second rescue in a single trip.
Rescue Three: Another Capsize – 25 May 2025
On a gusty Sunday morning, a third capsize in as many weeks saw three people clinging to rocks south of Whale Bay. This time, they were wearing lifejackets — and credited those with saving their lives. With the surf up and terrain tough, the Westpac chopper was again called in. A Coastguard swimmer and Surf Lifesaving team helped stabilise the group until extraction was possible.
The Common Thread
The common thread? In the first two cases, no lifejackets were worn — and serious medical complications followed. In the third, the difference was night and day. “Lifejackets save lives. It’s that simple,” says Series.
He adds: “Even with an EPIRB on board, it’s no use if you’re not with the boat when it goes over. That’s why we recommend carrying a PLB or VHF radio clipped to your lifejacket — gear you can actually access when it matters.”
A Community-Backed Rescue Unit
The Raglan Volunteer Coastguard was born out of necessity. Originally a grassroots crew of local boaties and fishers, the unit has grown into a critical emergency response service. It now operates Gallagher Rescue — an 11-metre, twin-diesel, jet-powered beast of a vessel — plus two Yamaha Waverunner rescue skis, Rylock Waikato Rescue I and II.
But the current fleet is being pushed to its limits. With more rescues, more training requirements, and increasingly complex operations, the unit is now fundraising for a new rescue boat. “We’re running full-tilt, but to keep up with demand, we need to invest in the next generation of capability,” says Series.
The unit doesn’t just respond to emergencies. It also plays a key role in educating local and visiting boaties. Twice a year, Coastguard Raglan runs Bar Safety Days — combining classroom sessions with live bar crossings aboard Gallagher Rescue. “Our next session is Sunday, 23 November 2025,” says Series. “If you cross the Bar regularly, you should be on that boat.”
How You Can Help
This is a high-performing rescue unit operating in one of the country’s most unforgiving environments — and they need support. While major sponsors like Rylock Waikato Aluminium and Gallagher Group play a vital role, public donations are equally critical.
Every dollar helps keep the team trained, the boats maintained, and the mission ready to launch. Whether you’re a surfer, angler, paddler or weekend cruiser, you never know when you’ll need them. And when you do, they’ll be there.
To donate, support their boat appeal, or book a spot on the next Bar Safety Day, contact raglancoastguard@gmail.com.
In waters like these, there’s no room for luck. Preparation saves lives — and so do the people willing to drop everything to bring you home.