Local Coastguard volunteer recognised at national awards

Certificate of Achievement recipient Elton Ngawhika has been a Rotorua Coastguard volunteer for twelve years. Photo/Supplied

Elton Ngawhika was looking for something a little different when he joined the Coastguard volunteer team, now he's being recognised for his commitment.

Mr Ngawhika was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for his commitment to the Coastguard and Search and Rescue service at the 2016 New Zealand Search and Rescue Council Awards in Wellington on Wednesday night.Mr Ngawhika began his work with Coastguard Rotorua Lakes 12 years ago, after working as a diver for search and rescue.

"I ended up falling in love with it, and now it's a big part of my life," he told the Rotorua Daily Post, before receiving his award.

Over the past 12 months he has dedicated 574 hours to training and 700 hours to operational activities.

"It's not something you turn up to and then turn off to when you walk away," he said.

"As much as I put in, you get tenfold back in return."

In addition to being a master, Mr Ngawhika is also the unit training officer, often acting as a mentor to his crew.

"You learn a lot of skills, but you also learn a lot about yourself," he said.

"In Rotorua we're 100 per cent volunteers. We're not there to make a living, but because we believe in the cause."

The Coastguard boat on Lake Rotorua. Photo/File

Some months Mr Ngawhika spends up to 30 hours training other volunteers.

He said the biggest highlight of the job was seeing the people he'd saved.

"You know that if you hadn't been there then they may not have survived, and that's why I keep turning up, why we all keep coming back."

A New Zealand Search and Rescue Council representative said Mr Ngawhika was well respected by all the volunteers, and for good reason.

"He is incredibly patient with his crew and emanates a positive attitude," the representative said.

"Overall, Elton is an invaluable asset to Coastguard Rotorua Lakes, dedicating 100 per cent of his energy into his unit."

Mr Ngawhika said he would encourage anyone interested in joining or just seeing what it was about to go to a training at the Coastguard shed.

"There's an amazing sense of camaraderie."

If you are interested, call (07) 348 9022 for more information.

Elton Ngawhika at the NZSAR Awards at Parliaments Banquet Hall. Photo/Mark Coote