Surf lifesaving: Board jumps ship in wake of Groundswell

Graham Cullen. Photo / Supplied

Surf lifesaving is going through further ructions with the mass resignation of the board of Surf Lifesaving NZ, ahead of new elections.

The stepping down of the board members is the latest consequence of the failure of the Project Groundswell restructuring - which helped to pitch SLSNZ into its most parlous financial situation in modern history. However, many surf lifesaving members felt the only way forward was to dismantle the current governing structure and start again.

Moves were made previously to unseat the chairman of the board, Graeme Cullen, but the board re-affirmed his leadership. Then SLSNZ members, led by the northern clubs, sought a special general meeting to hear a vote of no confidence in the whole board. Before that could happen, Cullen - in an email last Monday - said the board would step down at the annual general meeting on September 24 so fresh elections can be held. Current directors will be eligible to stand again.

The ructions follow a landmark restructuring, known as Project Groundswell, which helped drag SLSNZ into financial difficulties. Groundswell was touted to save $1 million a year but planned staff cuts turned into extended numbers; with many additions being at the "fat" end of the salary scale. Before Groundswell, there were 37 paid staff. There are now 45. The nationwide roadshow to celebrate the organisation's centenary this year cost $600,000. There was also $140,000 spent to relocate the national championships after the Christchurch earthquakes. Other financial costs which saw the organisation's forecasted loss for the year at $1.3 million (before depreciation and write-offs) against a budgeted loss of $0.3m. SLSNZ's reserves have been, at best, heavily depleted.

In his note on Monday, Cullen said: "I write to you concerned at where our organisation finds itself and am most disturbed by the recent media articles. They are not helping our organisation.

"I am pleased that we have found a strong leader in Pat Waite who has joined us as our interim chief executive. Pat brings a steady hand on the organisation and in only a few weeks Pat has pulled the finances together and has built a true picture of our financial situation. He has put in place tight controls and we face the new financial year with confidence and stability with an excellent management team, each of whom presented their plans to the board at Saturday's meeting."

Surf lifesaving sources say several "good people" have indicated they are prepared to stand for election to the new board. It is not yet known when those elections will be.