Neil Harray
Kia ora koutou katoa,
I am very pleased to be part of the Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Board as the Club President. The outstanding work that Dave Litton has done over the last 10 years has certainly shaped the role and forged the way forward.
As a born-and-bred Katikati local, I am very fortunate to call Waihi Beach home now. We have been part of the club since 2011, and four of the Harray family are all lifeguards—with me being the odd one out.
I enjoy being involved in surf sports, having coached Junior Surf, specifically beach events, from 2013 to 2020. It is nice to see our Lifeguards using their range of skills in the sporting arena - whatever sport that may be. More recently, we have been involved in the IRB Rescue and surf boats teams, which has been exciting to get so close to the action.
I am currently the Principal of Te Aroha College, but I have also worked for the Education Review Office (ERO) and as Principal at Katikati College.
I look forward to sharing my passion for developing young people, bringing the community together to build resilience, and supporting all those who are part of this great club.
Donna Pfefferle
I am excited to continue working alongside a passionate and active Club Board to support delivering exceptional patrol and rescue services for Waihi Beach and the surrounding communities. The movement behind lifeguarding inspires me to help build resilience among our lifeguards, volunteers, members, and the local communities.
The club's sustainability is a priority as Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc. approaches 90 years of operation. We must ensure that the next ninety years are financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable.
I hold a business degree and have experience in marketing and human resources. I was recently recognised as the Western Bay of Plenty Volunteer of the Year 2024. This award reinforces what can be achieved when individuals come together for the betterment of others.
In the words of Henry Ford, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
Lucy Scown
I am very lucky to have grown up in Waihi Beach and have been a member of Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services since 2011. I started as a junior surf nipper, and since then, I have competed as a junior and senior surf athlete in both surf sports, and later, my sister Maddie and I competed in the rescue-ready IRB racing team.
After becoming a lifeguard, I fell in love with everything related to surf lifesaving and, since qualifying, have been involved in a range of roles, including Patrol Captain, Chief SLGA Instructor, Patrol Auditor, Lifesaving Committee Chair, IRB Coordinator, Junior Surf Coach, SLGA and IRB examiner, and Coromandel Lifesaving Committee representative. Recently, I was inducted as an Eastern Region Duty Officer.
I was elected to the Board in 2022 as the Director of Lifeguarding. I thoroughly enjoyed working with lifeguards and the rest of our Waihi Beach Surf Club family to achieve greatness in delivering our professional services and focusing on the future so we can support the Waihi Beach community.
Andrew Cochrane
I have been a member for over 25 years and received a Service Award in 2016 from Surf Lifesaving NZ. I have been on the Committee in the past and very am very happy to still be involved in looking after the assets of the Club. My knowledge of sports craft and lifesaving equipment means I can assist with ensuring we have the right gear in the right condition for lifeguarding and members. I was actively involved in bringing the building and gear up to the standard required by regulations and health and safety, and I feel confident that we have made significant steps in this. I have been a lead in developing flood mitigation strategies to help prevent the club from becoming unusable in the future.
My passions are IRB (inflatable rescue boat) and skiing, and I enjoy surf sports to keep me fit and healthy. I like to encourage others to get involved in surf sports as it helps to develop strong and active lifeguards plus builds comradeship amongst the members. I have had the pleasure of representing New Zealand in IRB racing some years back.
I am the coordinator of the local Call-out Squad and work closely with the Coastguard to provide services to the local community. I am a Policeman in the local district, and my locations allow me to give back to the community.
My wife Jenni, daughter Kate, and son Sam love the beach as much as I do, and as long-standing members, we want to be involved in the Club's success.
Letham White
Our family has been involved with the club for around 10 years. My son is a current lifeguard and coach in Lifesaving Sports. My wife serves on the Board as Director of Sports and has several volunteer roles at the club, including Patrol Support Lifeguard.
The Club's goal is to provide the highest level of lifeguard and search and rescue services. I bring a few years of general and financial management experience and am excited to help the Club achieve its goals. I am focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet, cost containment, and ensuring our financial reports are prepared for the membership.
I continue to referee rugby as a Registered Referee for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union when I get the time. I enjoy doing anything on the water and keeping fit.
Natalie Lloyd
Since joining the Board in 2011, I’ve brought my background in public relations, editing, marketing and communications to the way we engage with our members and community. I lead the Club’s communications strategy across media, social media and membership newsletters, ensuring we share the stories, updates and achievements that matter — so our members, supporters and community stay connected and informed.
With a strong focus on connection and visibility, I’m always looking at new ways we can recruit, retain and recognise members, and highlight the value of being part of the Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services whānau. We’ve got exciting opportunities ahead – from celebrating our 90th anniversary to building long-term strength and sustainability – and I welcome opportunities to connect with members and contribute to ideas that will help shape a vibrant and sustainable future for the Club.
Sharlene Manukau
Our family has been members of the club for the past 10 years. Our children started in the Junior Surf program, then moved on to Rookies. Our son enjoyed it so much that he became a lifeguard and volunteer Junior Surf coach. Although no longer competing, Keaton now coaches our Junior and Senior Surf squads.
With so much of my time being spent at the club, I soon started getting involved, becoming an age group manager at junior competitions, competitions co-coordinator, a surf official, joined the sports committee, team manager at senior competitions and then qualified as a Patrol Support Lifeguard on the Master’s Patrol. Off the beach, I am passionate about fostering the growth of our young members and maintaining links within our community. I coached primary and college netball for 10 years and have played competitively for the past 8 years. I volunteered to be on the Katikati Junior Netball Committee and Katikati College Netball Committee for over nine years. For the past two years, I have enjoyed being a teacher aide at Katikati College, which allows me to work with the future leaders of our country.
As the Director of Sport, I am excited to work alongside the Club’s coaching teams to continue providing competitive opportunities and experiences for all our athletes. I am also excited to collaborate with key senior lifeguards and the Board in developing the Fit for Purpose programme, which supports the future of lifeguarding and develops young leaders.
Christiaan Maarhius
I have been a passionate lifeguard for over 30 years, with experience at Waihi Beach and Hot Water Beach. Waihi Beach is my Club, and I have been an active volunteer in many senior roles. From Lifeguard Coordinator initiating many positive changes in the lifeguarding systems, developing safety practices, and driving club culture. I have been a Patrol Captain and implemented the Master’s Patrol, safety officer at numerous SLSNZ and community events, and supported Board projects and initiatives.
Having the experience as a Head Regional Guard at different beaches, elected Chair of the Coromandel Lifeguarding Committee, Patrol Auditor, SLG Examiner, Instructor and other leadership opportunities have provided me with the opportunity and the skills to help inspire other lifeguards to achieve greatness.
Having another lifeguard on the Board and guiding them regarding safety, systems, and the development of SLSNZ strategies has helped the Board achieve many positive outcomes. There is much work that I would like to be still involved in at a strategic level. My passion is to initiate positive changes, future-proof Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services to meet the community's needs, and engage in strategic thinking.
Maddie Schnackenberg
I am very excited to be joining the board this year in the community education space. I'm passionate about all the great things we do and achieve here at Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services and am eager to start working with our wider community. My focus will be educating the Waihi Beach community during the roll out of community lifesaving equipment, and hopefully showcasing all that we do here at the Club at the same time.
Alongside this work, I look forward to returning to the club as a Lifesaving Sport Coach and leading the Fit For Purpose Programme, as I have done since 2020. Lifesaving sport and development are other passions of mine, which I have worked on in my volunteer capacity on both the Lifesaving Sport Committee, and Lifesaving Committee.
Nick Wagstaff
As a dedicated member of the Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services, I bring a wealth of experience and passion to my portfolio of Special Projects on the Board of Directors. With over a decade of involvement in surf lifesaving, I've cultivated a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing our club and the broader movement.
My commitment to excellence and innovation drives me to spearhead initiatives that push the boundaries of what's possible in surf lifesaving. From implementing advanced training programs to modernizing equipment and facilities, I'm dedicated to ensuring our service remains at the forefront of water safety and rescue operations.
My experience in Surf Life Saving New Zealand equips me with the skills necessary to lead our club through strategic initiatives, fostering growth and sustainability for years to come. I am honoured to serve alongside fellow board members in shaping the future of the Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service, safeguarding our community, and promoting a culture of camaraderie and excellence.