Surf body to merge debt-free

Surf Life Saving Taranaki will hand over a small surplus to its governing body today as the country's districts merge.

September's annual meeting of Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) saw the adoption of a new constitution where New Zealand's nine district bodies, including Taranaki, will be merged with SLSNZ into one entity.

The five Taranaki clubs – Waitara, Fitzroy, East End, New Plymouth Old Boys and Opunake – remain legally separate.

They will join clubs from Hawke's Bay and Wellington under the SLSNZ banner as the Central Region.

Taranaki board chairman Graham Goldsworthy said it had taken a lot of hard work to get the organisation back into the black after losing nearly $200,000 through a decade-long string of thefts by former manger Alison Douglas.

"It was certainly a challenge. There has been some great support from the general community, but especially businesses."

Several appeals throughout the province had raised enough to hand over a debt-free asset to SLSNZ.

"The message is that we are handing over the reins to New Zealand in good shape," he said. "We're not embarrassed with lots of money but there is an operating amount there and that's got to be better than handing debt over. It's not substantial but it's definitely in the black."

A special general meeting will be held at Taranaki's headquarters today where an auditor will officially liquidate Surf Life Saving Taranaki.

Its district manager, Sue McMaster, will continue to be employed but by SLSNZ. She will be based in Palmerston North but make regular trips to Taranaki.

Meanwhile, Goldsworthy said there had been a surplus of lifeguards apply for paid jobs throughout the region. They will start manning several beaches next month. "There are going to be a number of people who will be disappointed not to be employed because we have had a lot of people stand up and say they want to be involved."

- © Fairfax NZ News