Surf lifesavers in the country's North are holding out hope that central Government will cough up the cash to fund their services, as their emergency response role grows.
Surf Life Saving Northern Region is warning it will have to cut patrols and other services if its future funding models aren't secured.
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Chief executive Matt Williams says they're doing more rescues, searches and first-aid than ever, and warns their resources simply won't keep up with the demand for their services long-term.
"Rescues to searches, the work between the flags, is increasing, and more people are visiting the beach than ever. We're also doing far more new and nuanced work with police on category 1 search and rescues," he explained.
"We're basically being a Swiss Army knife responding to every emergency on the coastline."
Mr Williams says despite increased responsibility and proven value in providing safety to locals, they've had no engagement from the current nor previous Government.
He says the Labour-led Government ought to hear their plea, and do something about it.
"We're responding more and more to these highly technical emergency situations, day to day. So really I think they need to engage in the conversation around what Surf Life Saving is currently doing, and whether they remain in that space.
"What [their silence] creates is uncertainty around our sustainability to deliver to current levels. To put that in layman's terms, we don't know whether we will have the funding to continue providing this service in the long-term."
Northland, Auckland and Waikato regional councils currently fund the service of Surf Life Saving, but are struggling to meet the increase in demand for resources.
Mr Williams says surf operations ought to be funded along the lines of other emergency services.
Newshub.
