In the past, tough decisions were made within earshot of distressed family members and the media, and emergency services and lifeguards had to meet in car parks or on the beach itself to make rescue plans.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Eastern Region (which spans from the Coromandel down to Gisborne) is the busiest in the country so when government funding became available for shovel-ready projects post-COVID, it was the perfect opportunity for Omanu Beach Charitable Trust to build a dedicated rescue centre away from the beach and public view.

Trio Construction & Management Limited owner Bevan Wood is a qualified lifeguard and long-term member of the Omanu Surf Club. So Trustee Ian Glover phoned him up one Sunday evening and presented an immense challenge – design and price a new rescue building within a matter of days in order to meet the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) tight application deadline.