Now in its ninth year, Operation Speedo began its summer tour of duty with a launch and lunch at Arataki or Friday 31 October.

Operation Speedo is a joint safety initiative between Auckland Council, Waitakere Police and the Waitakere Ranges Local Board and many other safety agencies on the West Coast including surf life saving, Watersafe Auckland, fire service, First Response, parks staff, St Johns, rural post, and security firms.

The project aims to reduce crime, such as car break-ins and burglaries, increase police visibility including on roads leading to beaches, provide safety information for the public, promote water safety and promote awareness of Civil Defence procedures.

Piha folk play key roles in the project. Sandra Coney as chair of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, our local surf clubs, firemen and park rangers.

Officer in charge of the whole operation is Greg Wilson, Piha resident and former Piha surf club club  captain and boatie. The photo below shows some of the Piha participants: Greg on the left, regional park ranger Andy Pederson, Sandra Coney, and Fiona Anderson of Piha 1st Response.

Greg Wilson, Andy Pederson, Sandra Coney and Fiona Anderson