Dhl Announces Three Year Sponsorship Of Surf Life Saving New Zealand
There will be a new sight on New Zealand beaches this summer – Surf Life Saving NZ beach patrols, in the DHL red and
yellow branding.
Today DHL announced a three year, $1.5 million sponsorship of Surf Life Saving NZ, a move that the General Manager of
DHL Express, Mr. Phil Rountree, believes should be emulated by other global organisations with a New Zealand presence.
He said, “The sponsorship is a natural extension of DHL’s presence in New Zealand. Our ethos is very similar to surf
lifesaving, ‘Responsiveness, Urgency, Safety and Security’ underpin everything that DHL does, and equally these are the
prime drivers for Surf Lifeguards.
“We have a long history in New Zealand, and employ 450 people nationwide. New Zealand has treated us well, and DHL
believes that as a company we have a responsibility to the community in which we operate, and so the commitment to Surf
Life Saving NZ is an essential factor of DHL’s global and regional citizenship.”
DHL is the world's leading express and logistics company, offering a complete range of services and solutions including
packaging, express air and ocean freight, logistics, direct distribution, as well as domestic delivery. DHL Express
recently joined forces with Danzas and Deutsche Post Euro Express under the new-look DHL brand.
Mr Rountree challenged other multi-national’s to ‘give something back’, “While many organisations, such as BP – another
major sponsor of Surf Life Saving NZ – take contributing to the community seriously, there are many others that haven’t
stepped up to the plate. There is a distinct shortage of companies in this country that have the resources to truly take
on the serious issues that impact on our communities, and I believe that the larger international firms could make a
real difference and make an impact.”
According to Surf Life Saving New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Barry, the support of DHL will provide an
invaluable contribution, to the benefit of New Zealand children and their communities.
He said, “The partnership between ourselves and DHL will enable Surf Life Saving New Zealand to develop and implement a
comprehensive beach safety campaign, as well as consolidate preventative activity such as the beach patrols.
“New Zealand has and will remain a beach-loving nation, however many people do not yet realise the hazards which our
coastline presents.
“Through the support of DHL, we will be able to provide a preventative rather than reactive service that not only
educates, but also empowers our young people and their families.”
The awareness programme, to be launched in the summer of 2004, will promote safe water behaviour and raise awareness
towards the potential hazards of the local shoreline. Targeted at primary and high school students, the educational
sessions will build both practical and theoretical knowledge to ensure New Zealand children are able to enjoy water
sports and activities with the tools to keep them safe.
Since its inception in 1889, Surf Life Saving New Zealand has worked to reduce the high incidence of death by drowning
on New Zealand beaches. With over 1,700 lives saved and in excess of 87,000 preventative actions performed in the
2002/2003 season alone, the organisation also provides invaluable first aid and beach patrol support, in addition to its
education and awareness activities.