About Us
Welcome to Coastguard Boating Education, the leading provider of recreational boating education in New Zealand
Coastguard Boating Education (CBE) was formed in 1979 as a non-profit organisation to provide a comprehensive range of boating courses throughout New Zealand. The organisation is registered as a Private Training Establishment with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Board of Directors
John Cowan
Katie McNabb
Brooke Archbold; MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit)
Alan Haddock; Q.S.O (Queen's Service Order)
Marilyn Brady
Callum Gillespie
Head Office Team
Kirstin Brown
General Manager
Kirstin is a highly-experienced educator with a wide range of experience in private training establishments in both the domestic and international sectors. Her previous roles include Director of Studies at Dominion English Schools, National College Director at Academic Colleges Group, National Operations Manager at Whitireia Polytechnic and more recently Education Director at the Real Estate Institute. She has several teaching qualifications and a PG Dip in Business from Auckland University School of Business.
Email: kirstin.brown@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: (09) 361 4708
Mobile: 022 043 5376
Jason Rowledge
Head of Training
Jason has an excellent level of maritime technical knowledge coupled with a strong maritime training and management background. He holds an MNZ inshore Launch Master, is an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, Powerboat Level 2 and PWC Instructor. Diving is a favourite past time with both advanced and rescue diving accreditation and his position as Head of Training for CBE ensures his adult teaching and assessor qualifications are well-utilised. Before teaching Jason worked around the world aboard various
Email: jason.rowledge@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: (09) 361 4711
Mobile: 021725993
Stuart Birnie
Course Development Manager
Stuart comes from an Audio Visual background,
starting with TVNZ then working primarily in Tertiary
Education. In 2003 he changed his career path and went maritime. Stuart has worked
mainly with traditional vessels and youth development since, including a time
overseas as Senior Master of Spirit of Bermuda. He counts himself very
lucky to be able to skipper such vessels as Aotearoa One, R Tucker Thompson,
Jane Gifford, Ted Ashby, and Breeze. He holds RYA, NZ Maritime, and Adult
Teaching qualifications and is passionate about assisting others to better
themselves
Email: coursemanager@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: 09 361 4709
Mobile: 020 412 858 98
Hamish Tait
Community Education Officer
Hamish has been involved with boats and the sea since a young age. He is a qualified Sailmaker, Commercial Skipper (CLM) and RYA Yachtmaster. Hamish has raced and cruised in many locations around the world including two seasons competing on the World Maxi racing circuit. Hamish has been involved in the governance side of the sport with roles on AYBA, NZIODA and as a flag officer at his local yacht club. With a passion for education, he strongly believes that education is the way to help save lives at sea.
Email: communitycourses@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: 09) 361 4710
Ross Winterburn
Maritime Educator
Ross has taken on the role of Maritime Educator at our Westhaven office, continuing his extensive service to the maritime industry: training in the use of marine safety equipment, helicopter underwater escape training and work for Auckland Regional Council environmental monitoring programs. Ross has been a SAR volunteer for Auckland Coastguard (Heavy Rescue Vessel and Air Patrol) for 25 years, and a Boating Education tutor since 1996. His work in our Westhaven office centres on supporting the Head of Training and Manager – Course Development as well as keeping course resources up to date.
Email: Ross.Winterburn@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: 09 361 4705
Debbie Moore
Accounts Administrator
Debbie is the Accounts Administrator. Her primary duties involve handling the invoicing, balancing books and administration of the financial resources.
Email: debbie.moore@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: 09 361 4704
Sarah Psaila
Safe Boating Project Co-ordinator
Sarah has taken on the role as the Safe Boating Project Co-ordinator. She trains the trainers to deliver a nationwide programme devoted to educating young people with the essential safe boating concepts such as life jacket use, safety gear and response to common water-based situations. Sarah is an active SAR volunteer for Auckland Coastguard and an active volunteer for the Waterwise schools programme. These have given Sarah a wealth of knowledge for the Safe Boating Programme.
Email: safeboating@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: 09 361 4706
Mobile: 022 197 8295
Sarah Pengelly
Assessment Administrator
Sarah is the Assessment Administrator. She issues all certificates for CBE and The Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
Email: sarah.pengelly@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: 09 361 4712
Tracy Peers
Course Administrator
Tracy joined the organization in early 2017. Having previously worked for the Department of Internal Affairs, Tracy brings administration experience, a proactive work ethic and positive attitude to the role.
Email: tracy.peers@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: 09 361 4704
Liz Norquay
Course Adminstration
Liz has joined the team to support the delivery of boating education nationally having served Coastguard's aims for many years in administration roles at the regional office. She is part of the team which co-ordinates classroom-based courses and brings administrative skills and experience in scheduling classes, sourcing venue and liaising with our tutors. Liz owns a cruising yacht with her partner and enjoys lending a hand in conservation projects.
Email: liz.norquay@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: (09) 361 4710
Maribeth Harvey
Office Administrator (Education)
Maribeth joined CBE in August 2017 following several
Email: Maribeth.harvey@boatingeducation.org.nz
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
