Ray Polson Ray is a retired chartered accountant and former company director. He joined the Trust in 1991 and has served as chairman since 1994. A former partner at Polson Higgs now the Trust’s financial advisor and investment manager. He was also secretary/treasurer of the NZ Federation of Commercial Fishermen from 1974 to 1989.
Establishment of the Society
Since the early days of European settlement, New Zealand’s rugged coastline has seen hundreds of shipwrecks, leaving many families grieving and destitute. In response to these tragedies, the Shipwreck Relief Society of New Zealand was founded in December 1902 in Dunedin, led by civic figures such as Mayor J.A. Park. Its purpose was to provide financial assistance to the dependents of seafarers lost at sea and help survivors rebuild their lives.
For nearly a century, the Society supported widows and families of shipwrecked sailors through regular grants and payments. In more recent years, its work has continued under the New Zealand Shipwreck Welfare Trust, which ensures that families of those lost at sea receive timely welfare support.
Although modern safety systems and accident compensation schemes have reduced the frequency of shipwrecks, the Trust remains a vital safety net. It continues the legacy of compassion and community that began over a hundred years ago, providing financial and emotional support to seafarers’ families across New Zealand.
Our history of support spans over a century and includes some of New Zealand's most devastating maritime losses—the Penguin (1909), Wimmera (1918), Niagara (1940), Wahine (1968), and Kotuku (2006) among them.
Yet much of our work involves the smaller maritime tragedies that don't capture public attention: the commercial vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft lost at sea each year.
Providing Vital Support
Since 1998, we have responded with care and financial support for dependents of those lost at sea while working on a commercial vessels. During the initial stages of loss, the Trust provides a no questions asked amount of financial support to get the family through. This has proven to be hugely important to help meet immediate and basic needs while the dependents of those lost are still finding their feet and dealing with grief. Our mission is helping those in their darkest hours.
Meet the Team
Darren GuardDarren Guard is a New Zealand maritime safety leader with a 200-year family fishing legacy. After progressing from crew to Managing Director, he founded Guard Safety and introduced practical, industry-shaping safety innovations. He chairs the Iona II Memorial Trust, serves on the Gleam Team Charitable Trust, and co-founded the NZ Fishing Health and Safety Forum. Darren has led key initiatives including Maritime NZ’s FishSafe programme, record-low injury reductions at Sealord, and the development of MarineSAFE and FirstMate to support fishers’ safety and wellbeing.
Janice FredricJanice is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of governance experience across commercial, public, and not-for-profit sectors. She serves on the boards of Lincoln University, Aurora Energy, and MainPower, and previously held roles with the Civil Aviation Authority and NIWA. A Trustee since 2016, she is dedicated to supporting seafarers and their families through hardship.
Roger RawlinsonRoger Rawlinson is a Master Mariner and respected commercial fishing leader with over 30 years of operational and governance experience. As an intergenerational owner-operator and Managing Director of the Rawlinson Group, he is recognised for maritime expertise, strategic leadership, and commitment to workforce wellbeing. His support for marine science through research partnerships and vessel provision reflects his focus on long-term industry sustainability. He has held key governance roles, including with the New Zealand Seafood Safety Council and the Federation of Commercial Fishermen, and is a strong advocate for communities, small-vessel operators, and youth.
Tony ThreadwellTony is the Owner/Manager of Pegasus Fishing Ltd. He spent 30 years at sea crewing on and then skippering on his own fishing boats. Tony is on the executive of the NZ Federation of Commercial fishermen and has been a long-time supporter of the Federation auction that funds the Shipwreck Trust. He has been a trustee for almost 20 years and holds other representative roles within the fishing industry.
Roger BeattieRoger Beattie is a New Zealand “environpreneur” known for blending conservation with clever business. A champion of low-input regenerative farming and strong property rights, he’s built a reputation as one of NZ’s most innovative “least worst” farmers. A former paua diver of 17 years, Roger now farms paua to create Eyris blue pearls and sustainably harvests Giant Kelp under New Zealand’s Quota Management System.
