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Surf Life Saving New Zealand Inc. is the largest water safety sports organisation in New Zealand, providing an essential community service to all New Zealanders.
The 79 Clubs in nine Districts are affiliated to SLSNZ representing 12,000 members.

SLSNZ is a non-profit community based volunteer organisation.
It receives no direct central government funding and surf lifesaving clubs rely on NZ Lottery Grants Board Funding, Gaming Machine Grants, local Community Trust grants and sponsorship to buy club equipment and pay for the running costs.

Whangarei Heads Surf Lifesaving Patrol is one of 17 Clubs in the Northern Region.

To become a qualified Surf Lifeguard you must be 14 years of age or older and pass your NZ Surf Lifeguard Award exam. The exam comprises:

- 400 metre pool swim in under 9 minutes
- Run / swim / run in the surf
- Resuscitation test
- Rescue test
- Theory questions
- Practical surf knowledge test

Each season active Surf Lifeguards must perform a refresher test.
The Surf Lifeguard Refresher will be co-ordinated by the Chief Instructor with the assistance of each Patrol Captain. It is expected that all active lifeguards will complete the following components during November's beach patrols:

- CPR
- Theory questions
- Rescue Tube rescue
- 400 m pool swim or 200m run/swim/run

The refresher test is not designed to fail people, but to ensure their fitness and knowledge is up to the required standard at the start of each season.

Employment Opportunities in surflifesaving

BeachEd and Regional Lifeguard programmes offer excellent employment opportunities for our tertiary student members available from mid November to March each year. Sport and community organisations also have professional management structures and coaching positions requiring full or part time staff.

- Professional/Regional Lifeguards
Each year throughout New Zealand local councils support the Regional Lifeguard program, employing Surf Lifeguards from Monday to Friday during the summer school holiday period when volunteers are not available.

Regional lifeguards will be on patrol at Ocean Beach from mid December to early February, complimenting the volunteer service during this peak time.

- BeachEd Instructors
BeachEd is a programme delivered throughout NZ schools during terms 1 & 2 each year. Children from year 1 to year 8 attend a full days session at selected clubs. The Instructors that are employed to teach the children are qualified Surf Lifeguards having the appropriate Awards and skills gained as a volunteer.

Contact the Club Administrator for details of employment opportunites.