Supporting life-savers

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) has announced a three-year extension of its partnership with Toyota Financial Services NZ (TFS), which has signed on to remain as a major partner.

The organisation supports around 74 surf lifesaving clubs at more than 90 locations and about 4,600 volunteer surf lifeguards. It relies on the support of commercial partners to help carry out its important work.

Steve Fisher, SLSNZ’s chief executive officer, believes a longstanding partnership such as the one with TFS can only be successful if based on an aligned purpose.

He says: “We admire Toyota’s value of being a brand for all Kiwis, ensuring that the freedom of movement is a reality for all. 

“Similarly, we are focused on making our beaches and coastlines accessible to everyone by focusing on protecting and supporting our local communities, reducing risk, being proactive in preventing harm and driving positive outcomes.

TFS has supported SLSNZ for 13 years, and its sponsorship will involve it supplying the organisation with more than 70 vehicles to support regional lifesaving delivery and community education programmes. This makes it one of the largest not-for-profit fleets in New Zealand.

Brent Knight, TFS’ chief executive, says: “We have an aligned goal in focusing on the wellbeing of our nation. To achieve this, we need to ensure surf lifeguards have the appropriate support and resources to perform their roles to the best of their abilities.”

As part of the partnership, TFS will remain a naming rights sponsor of the Surf Life Saving Northern Region Awards of Excellence for the Auckland and Northland regions, stretching south to Raglan on the west coast.

For the first time, TFS will also be the naming rights sponsor of the national awards of excellence, celebrating the best of the country’s surf lifesaving achievements.