New Zealand's Most Dedicated Lifeguard: Karel Witten-Hannah Still Saving Lives at 75

After 40 years of service at Piha and Karekare, Karel Witten-Hannah clocked 340+ hours this season, proving that age is no barrier to saving lives and serving the community.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 4:06 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

A Record-Breaking Season at Piha

The 2025/26 season was particularly grueling, yet Witten-Hannah missed only a single day of his weekend patrols. His role involves far more than just "flag duty." This past summer alone, he was involved in high-stakes operations, including:

Deep-Sea Rescues: Assisting a young surfer blown two kilometers out to sea at night.

Emergency First Aid: Providing critical support during a Boxing Day resuscitation attempt.

Public Interaction: Acting as a grounded, calming presence for distressed swimmers, often being the first point of contact for those caught in rips.

Four Decades of Service: From Nippers to the Front Line