Muriwai Surf School is asking for your help.

Our current license in the shed is expiring at the end of March and is not being renewed. We have been negotiating for over 9 months with the Auckland Regional Council for somewhere within the domain to set up our business. They have proposed we set up a caravan that must be removed daily for 10% of our gross profit or $3.50 per customer. We currently have 120 surfboards, nearly 200 wetsuits, 6 blokarts, changing rooms etc. Obviously a caravan will mean downsizing and the percentage that is being asked will frankly put us out of business.
We have proposed a movable structure with a 12-month trial either at Muriwai Campground or with the Lifeguard Services (for rent of course) and have full support from both organizations.
ARC claim that this is not within the Muriwai Structure Plan (rules that they create and can change at will, and do), and that this is not what the people of Auckland or the community wants (have you been asked?).
The surf school has been going for 7 years now, and as many people have pointed out, we do a lot more than teach people to surf. Our coaches are in the water most of the day through summer and every one of us has assisted in rescues and constant preventative actions. Martin is an after hours lifeguard and has been called out many times for rescues, including the clearing of the beach for the tsunami, and the organization of the clean up of the shipping container spill of milk powder. Daily we help people with keys locked in cars, flat batteries, and many general enquiries about the domain. The surf school is not just our business it is our way of life.
So why are we being stonewalled by the ARC?
The other 28 concessionaries in regional parks pay a total of $14,000 a year according to Anna McElrea from ARC. We are being asked for over half of that alone! Could it be Martins loud voice as a member and now stood down president of the local Muriwai Progressive Society (a group of locals standing up for the community of Muriwai)? Or is it just bureaucracy gone mad?

If you would like to help you can come down to the shed and sign our petition or send an email to any or all of the following ARC councilors. It may make a difference as they are all scrambling for their jobs with the new Supercity arriving in November.

Thank you for your support.
Bridget Wallis