A purpose-built facility beside the Kaituna River is taking shape, bringing Maketū Volunteer Coastguard closer to having a permanent home for its growing fleet of rescue vessels and equipment.

The new 20m by 15m facility at 83 Ford Rd, historically known as Otaiparia, sits opposite the Kaituna River boat ramp.

“The location was carefully chosen to keep the coastguard’s rescue vessels, vehicles and equipment close to the water and the community it serves,” president Shane Beech said.

Stage one of the project has been completed, with the foundations and initial groundwork carried out by coastguard volunteers.

Beech said work on the site is continuing, with channel drains installed and security fencing progressing.

“The team is also working through the next stages of the project, including the necessary building consent processes, while continuing to raise funds to bring the facility to completion.”

Volunteers from Maketū Volunteer Coastguard working on the groundwork for their new facility.

Once finished, the building will bring equipment stored at various locations around Maketū together under one roof.

“It is being designed to accommodate the coastguard’s main Eastpack Rescue vessel when undergoing maintenance, the smaller Kohinui Rescue vessel, jet skis, a tractor and other essential rescue equipment,” Beech said.

“This purpose-built facility will futureproof the storage of our rescue equipment and allow us to respond more efficiently when emergencies occur.”

For the volunteers, the benefits go beyond having a dedicated place to store their equipment.

Currently, getting the secondary rescue vessel to the Kaituna boat ramp can involve towing it from Maketū by tractor. Having the vessel and equipment at the new facility will remove that additional journey, helping crews mobilise faster when an emergency call comes in.

The site of the future Maketū Volunteer Coastguard facility at Ford Rd.

The building has also been designed with the local environment in mind. Plans include using a block wall to raise the concrete floor to 1.4m, elevating the X-Span steel shed facility above the local flood level and providing visibility towards the Kaituna River entrance.

The overall project is expected to cost about $1.2 million, benefiting the wider Pāpāmoa, Maketū, Te Puke, Paengaroa, Pukehina and Rotorua communities.

“It is being made possible through the generous support of a range of funders and the wider community,” Beech said.

BayTrust has contributed $50,000 to the building, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Community Matching Fund 2026 recently provided $10,000 towards construction.

Coastguard New Zealand supplied base funding of $500,000, while Manawa Trust (formerly TECT) provided $450,000 and BayGold contributed $20,000 towards the project.

“These contributions, along with ongoing community fundraising and support from other funders, are helping bring the new facility closer to completion,” Beech said.

Maketū Coastguard treasurer and secretary Geoff Oliver said: “We are extremely grateful to all our funders and everyone who has supported this project. However, we still have further funds to raise to fully complete the new building.”

The site of the future Maketū Volunteer Coastguard facility with foundations and initial groundwork completed.

The volunteer organisation responds to 40 to 50 callouts annually.

The team is encouraging the local community to continue supporting the project. “The target is to have the new facility completed by the end of March 2027,” Beech said.