Lifeguards complete trip around NZ (+ video)

Six surf lifeguards today completed a 5200km circumnavigation of New Zealand, coming ashore to a noisy welcome in Auckland.

The group had set off from the same spot in the central city on January 5 in two inflatable rescue boats powered by 30-horsepower outboard motors.

They finished their anti-clockwise journey around the country six days ahead of their 40-day schedule.

The circumnavigation, led by Andrew Lancaster and Ash Matushka, was the first in inflatable boats less than four-metres long and marked 100 years of surf lifesaving clubs in New Zealand.

- NZPA