Thieves have made away with solar panels from an emergency radio network site on the Whangamata peninsula

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Lifesaving manager Allan Mundy says the theft is devastating and could compromise life-saving efforts over the busy summer period.

He says it'll take three to four weeks to re-install the solar panels that were stolen.

It's the second theft of essential surf lifesaving gear this month.

On December two, a pair of quad bikes, newly installed radio equipment, a rescue board and some first aid gear were also stolen from Pukehina Surf Rescue.