A former surf lifeguard who stripped down to his boxers to rescue a drowning man is among a handful of Wellingtonians whose bravery was recognised tonight.

Efforts in one of the year's most harrowing rescue bids went unmentioned at last night's surf life-saving awards because those involved in the fatal Muriwai shark attack refused to have their names put forward.

One of the sunniest summers in more than 50 years saw almost 600 extra people rescued from NZ beaches during the patrol season compared to the year before.

Lifeguards were supposed to finish up on Northland's patrolled surf beaches yesterday, but the long summer has seen Ruakaka volunteers staying on for next weekend as well.

Lifeguards are frustrated at the lack of preparedness shown by 10 Korean fishermen who needed rescuing from a precarious position on a rock in Port Waikato.

It's the biggest and most prestigious event on the New Zealand surf lifesaving calendar and this year, the carnival came to a sun and swell-drenched Mount Maunganui. Music: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd (xavierrudd.com) Additional GoPro footage courtesy of Mark Bourneville/Piha SLSC. courtesy Dscribe Journalism.

When a scared child sought help for a man drowning at Omanu Beach, teens Josh Jarvis and Fletcher Swan called on all their lifesaving skills to haul the man to safety.

A 14-year-old rookie lifeguard has been hailed a hero after racing into the see to help three men and a child stuck in a rip.

Aucklanders' rates have given a $46 million boost to 10 rescue, safety, arts and cultural groups in the past four years and a further $14 million gift is proposed for the 2013-14 year.

Paid regional lifeguards who started patrolling five Northland beaches on December 24 will stop working at Whangarei Heads, Ruakaka and Baylys Beach today.

Mount Maunganui lifeguard Callum Knox has achieved the highest award for surf lifeguards in New Zealand - with top marks.