Business Showcase brought to you by Screen NZ International l 7 October 2026
Lifeguard & Safety:
Safety Meets Storytelling
For three decades, Lifeguard & Safety Ltd has played a vital role behind the scenes of New Zealand’s screen industry, helping productions operate safely in some of the country’s most demanding environments. From studio stages and urban locations to remote wilderness, rugged coastlines and complex marine sequences, the Auckland-based company provides specialist health and safety, medical and marine services tailored specifically to the needs of film and television production.
Established in 1996, Lifeguard & Safety has earned a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most experienced and respected production safety providers, supporting everything from TVCs, independent documentaries and local television series to major international feature films and global streaming productions.
The company was founded by Willy Heatley and Shane Armitage, whose extensive background in surf lifesaving, rescue helicopter operations and powerboat rescue diving shaped the practical, calm and highly prepared culture that remains central to the business today. In 2018, after more than 15 years working with the company across countless productions, Nick Fryer assumed the role of Operations Manager. Bringing formal health and safety qualifications alongside expertise in commercial marine operations, pre-hospital emergency care and hazardous environments, Nick continues to lead a team recognised for its professionalism, technical knowledge and production-focused approach.
Lifeguard & Safety understands that effective safety is about enabling production rather than slowing it down. Working closely with producers, directors, assistant directors and department heads, the team identifies risks early, develops practical management strategies and delivers solutions that support creative ambition while protecting people, schedules and budgets. Their experience allows them to integrate seamlessly into production workflows, ensuring safety becomes a natural part of the filmmaking process rather than an obstacle to it.
The company's services encompass every aspect of production safety, including health and safety planning, risk assessments, safety programmes and manuals, on-set supervision, safety inductions, hazard identification, incident reporting, WorkSafe New Zealand compliance, first aid and emergency medical support. Specialist services also include helicopter and fixed-wing aviation safety, climbing and height safety, rigging support, commercial diving, rescue capability and comprehensive marine coordination.
Marine safety remains one of the company's defining areas of expertise. New Zealand's dramatic coastlines, rivers and lakes offer filmmakers extraordinary locations, but they also present unique operational challenges. Lifeguard & Safety provides qualified commercial skippers, rescue and commercial divers, swift water rescue specialists, jet ski operators, water safety personnel, camera boats, safety vessels and hero boats, enabling productions to film confidently in and around water. Many of the company's contracted personnel are active surf lifeguards, bringing current operational rescue experience and an instinctive understanding of dynamic aquatic environments.
The breadth of expertise within the team reflects the diverse demands of modern production. Staff and contractors bring backgrounds spanning occupational health and safety, emergency medical care, surf lifesaving, Fire and Emergency response, commercial skippering, outdoor survival, incident management, rescue operations and technical rigging. This depth of experience enables Lifeguard & Safety to assemble specialist teams tailored to the specific risks and logistical requirements of each project.
That capability has seen the company become a trusted partner with many International Studios such as Amazon, Blumhouse, Sony, Fifth Season, Warner Bros, Paramount, Disney, Netflix, Starz and Lionsgate. Recent credits include Heart of the Beast, East of Eden, Wrecking Crew, Minecraft, Sweet Tooth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Spartacus: House of Ashur and Evil Dead Rise and Burn.
Across productions of every size, from intimate location shoots to complex international blockbusters involving hundreds of cast and crew, Lifeguard & Safety combines practical expertise, specialist personnel and meticulous planning with a collaborative approach that understands the realities of filmmaking. It is this combination of technical capability, calm professionalism and decades of screen industry experience that has made Lifeguard & Safety one of New Zealand's leading safety partners for film and television production.
For more information visit www.guard.co.nz
All imaged are owned by and used with permission of Lifeguard & Safety Ltd
CONTACT LIFEGUARD & SAFETY
