The first wave of more than 3,500 surf lifeguards took to the beaches on Labour weekend, despite increasing funding concerns.
The Charity Gaming Association, from which Surf Life Saving New Zealand generates about 20% of its income, has recently seen changes to its gambling regulations.
Local councils now determine how many machines are allowed in their area.
Surf Life Saving business manager John O'Connell says with no permanent funding streams, the organisation is heavily dependent on charity gaming.
However, he says the number of gaming machines is declining with the numbers dropping from 24,000 to around 19,000 in the last couple of years.
He says that means less money for community organisations.
Mr O'Connell says rural areas like the Coromandel are likely to suffer the most.
