Century Batteries has confirmed it will continue as the Official Battery Partner of Coastguard Tautiaki Moana, extending a relationship that stretches back to 2010. Over those fifteen years, Century batteries have been installed aboard rescue vessels at locations the length and breadth of New Zealand, underpinning the electrical systems that crews depend on every time they respond to a call.
The renewal comes after a particularly demanding period for the volunteer organisation. Throughout 2025, Coastguard volunteers attended 2,785 incidents and brought 6,792 people safely back to shore.
On a rescue vessel, reliable electrical systems are fundamental rather than optional. Navigation equipment, communications gear, and engine starting systems all draw on battery power, and any failure in those systems during an emergency is simply not an option. Shaun O'Brien, General Manager Automotive at Century Yuasa, points to this reality when explaining why the partnership carries genuine weight for his company.
"Our volunteers rely on equipment that performs every time they leave the dock," O'Brien said. "When you are responding to an emergency on the water there is absolutely no room for failure. We are proud to continue supporting Coastguard so crews can head out with confidence, whatever the conditions."
Beyond the supply of marine batteries, the partnership has grown over the years to include ongoing technical support, helping to keep the Coastguard fleet in a constant state of readiness. That kind of sustained industry backing has a practical effect on what the organisation can deliver, particularly as the volume of callouts continues to grow.
Chief Executive Carl McOnie acknowledged the role that partners like Century Batteries play in keeping operations running at the level New Zealand communities expect.
"Our volunteers need equipment they can depend on in unpredictable conditions, and Century Batteries' support helps keep our fleet ready to respond," McOnie said. "As demand for our services continues to rise, partnerships like this help us keep our crews safe and our communities protected."
Coastguard Tautiaki Moana operates through a network of more than 2,000 volunteers across 62 locations nationwide. Its work extends beyond search and rescue to include boating education and marine safety programmes, with the broader aim of reducing the number of incidents on the water in the first place.
Century Batteries has been producing and supplying batteries since 1928, giving it one of the longest track records of any battery supplier in Australasia. The company's range spans marine, automotive, and industrial applications, with performance under demanding conditions central to its product focus.
