Photo: SuppliedCash-strapped Coastguard New Zealand believes lives will be put at risk if it is forced to pay a levy to the Government. Coastguard NZ has been asked to pay the maritime levy, which it calculates will costs it another $20,000 a year. Coastguard NZ said as a not-for-profit whose primary tasks were search and rescue and educating boaties on water safety, that description didn't fit. That decision could well push the rescue organisation to the edge of the cliff. Mr Holmes argued that Coastguard NZ was being charged for "the 'privilege' of keeping people safe on the water".

Source: Otago Daily Times July 04, 2019 20:26 UTC