Surf Life Saving New Zealand is expecting a busy season ahead with what will be a long, hot summer.
The El Niño weather system combined with a warming western Indian Ocean, means a long, hot summer for northern parts of New Zealand is likely - and that means more beachgoers.
Surf life guards will begin their first patrols of the year this Labour weekend.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand chief executive Steve Fisher spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
