PROFILE: Kevin Langley (a.k.a Stumpy) – Auckland Coastguard Volunteer
"I've been a Coastguard volunteer for a long time now. I was born and bred in the water. I don’t mind being out in the really rough stuff because of the skill sets that we’re trained in and the processes we have keep us safe."
"There’s been anxious moments in an incident because the wind or the tide takes over the boat for a minute. The only time I’ve really been worried is for the people that we’re towing back from quiet a way out in pretty big seas. When you see a whole yacht disappearing under a wave that you’ve gone over, you feel for them."
“I’ve been out there for three days and pulled fifty people back to safety and you sort of take that for granted because it’s just what you do but then you look back, it’s hugely rewarding."
"Why I keep doing this after so many years… For me I wanted to give back to boating. it’s a passion I’ve had since the day I started and I’ve never looked back. The comradery is great we give each other a hard time and tease each other. I’m good at doing that to other people, probably not so good getting it back sometimes (laughs)."
"I always say to people that you should tell someone where you’re planning to go. Not a lot of people have a VHF but they do have a cellphone to call *500 which is the direct line to the Coastguard Operations Center. If you’re in trouble, most people can still get cellphone within the Hauraki Gulf area."
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.5% Yes
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33.6% Maybe?
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24.9% No
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
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