Ngunguru beach rescue: Family rescued from near drowning at Papaka 29 Jan, 2021 04:15 PM 4 minutes to read Alistair Neumann, left, and his nephew Kauri Beattie rescued a family close to drowning in the surf at a secluded Ngunguru beach. Photo / Tania Whyte Multimedia journalist for the Northern [email protected] A Northlander who saved a family from drowning says the image of an unconscious teenager floating in the surf at a remote Ngunguru beach will stick with him forever. But Alistair Neumann, 32, currently living in Wellington, doesn't consider himself a hero. The painter-decorator said that title belonged to the 16-year-old girl who "sacrificed herself to save the others" during the dramatic rescue on January 14.