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: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Poll: Is Auckland’s economy improving?
The latest reporting from The Post suggests a wave of optimism for 2026. With interest rates finally heading south, businesses are feeling more positive. But for many on the ground, the real-world recovery feels a bit like a slow-moving commute on Auckland's motorways.
We want to know: Are you seeing signs of Auckland's economy improving in your industry or neighbourhood? Whether it's busier shops, new projects kicking off, or just a shift in the mood ...
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16.8% Yes
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67% No
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16.2% A little
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