Celebrating a year of partnership with Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Sustainable Coastlines and Spirit of Adventure Trust.
At Aon in Aotearoa, we believe that businesses succeed when the communities they serve and the people they employ flourish. With this belief, and with the determination to support positive outcomes in communities, we began a new chapter of national sponsorship in New Zealand.
We are both proud and honoured to celebrate one year since teaming up with Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLNZ), Sustainable Coastlines (SC), and Spirit of Adventure Trust (SOAT).
Together, we share a commitment to building resilient, future-proofed communities by reducing risk and empowering better decisions in, on and around the water.
Twelve Months of Impact
Collectively, we are helping to drive resilience and confidence, support and protect, and nourish and preserve the communities we serve across the motu. As we reflect 12 months on since the first ‘Aon’ flags went in the sand and the SLSNZ summer patrol season began in October 2024, there have been many great moments - and impact too.
Here are some of the highlights.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
The facts: Over the 2024/2025 summer season, SLSNZ performed 577 rescues, 790 assists, 1,348 first aid interventions, and took 47,487 preventive actions - all while patrolling for 240,129 hours.
Honing lifesaving skills at worldclass events: Last year’s Aon Pool Rescue Championships made a splash as the largest event of its kind, shattering 32 New Zealand records – and we were there across this event again this year. In March this year, the Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships transformed Midway Beach in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, with 1,300 elite lifeguards vying for the historic Alan Gardner Trophy - ultimately finding a new home at Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
Setting new standards for water rescue excellence, these events serve to sharpen lifesaving skills, build resilience, teamwork and confidence for lifeguards and the next generation of ocean guardians - all of which help keep patrolled beaches safer for our communities.
Supporting Local Government across the motu: Aon and SLSNZ joined forces at national conferences, empowering local leaders with knowledge to make informed decisions for their communities.
Recognising and honouring excellence: We were privileged to join SLSNZ at nine Awards of Excellence, celebrating surf lifesaving heroes and volunteers, and honouring the Aon Surf Sports Official of the Year, Aon Surf Sports Team of the Year, and Aon Event Safety Contribution of the Year.
Championing mental health for colleagues and communities: At Aon, the wellbeing of our colleagues is always priority – so we connected our Mental Health First Aiders with the SLSNZ Wellness team, providing opportunity to exchange insights and strategies to better support colleagues and communities through challenging times.
Sustainable Coastlines
The facts: Across July 2024 - June 2025 period, SC hosted 87 participants for education and training events, 39 beach clean-ups with 4,122 participants, who took part in 386 Litter Intelligence surveys, 5,994 volunteer hours and …. a whopping 39,644 litres of litter removed from NZ’s coastline.
15,000 litres of litter removed from NZ coastlines: Through eight nationwide beach clean-up events, Aon colleagues joined local volunteers to remove over 15,000 litres of litter from our coastline. These events bring together people of all ages to learn about the importance of kaitiakitanga – guardianship - ensuring our coast is protected for future generations.
Uniting our partners for the next generation: In Gisborne and the East Cape, we combined the forces of SC and SLSNZ for a Community Day focused on beach education, surf sports and environmental stewardship for tamariki. Sustainable Coastline’s Litter Intelligence also made waves on Spirit of Adventure’s youth development voyages, further enhancing it with beach clean-ups and environmental knowledge.
Spirit of Adventure Trust
The facts: Across July 2024 - June 2025 period, SOAT took 45 voyages and 6 day sails: that’s 1113 trainees on 10-day voyages, 398 trainees on Discovery voyages, 58 kids on the Parent & Child voyages, 25 kids and 9 special buddies on the Inspiration voyage … with a total of 314,880 contact hours on board the tall ship.
Breaking down barriers with life-changing scholarships: Our scholarships have enabled dozens of young people to embark on transformative ten-day youth development voyages aboard the Spirit of New Zealand tall ship. On board, participants developed resilience, leadership and teamwork - skills that extend far beyond the ocean - while forging lifelong friendships.
Colleagues climb aboard too: Two Aon colleagues joined their daughters for a three-night adventure at sea on the unique Parent and Child Voyage, creating lasting bonds and moments of connection, these voyages empowering families to make better decisions together.
Helping to Protect a Better Future Through Better Decisions
Every rescue performed, every piece of litter collected, and every young leader inspired reflects our shared purpose: to reduce risk and shape safer, stronger, more resilient communities throughout Aotearoa through Better Decisions.
Now, one year on, our sails are set for even greater impact. With the ocean as both our guide and inspiration, we look forward to another year of collaboration—championing better decisions, embracing community, and protecting what makes Aotearoa extraordinary.