New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR)

#SARInAction Two trapped near Tarn Ridge At 2:29pm on Sunday 12 November 2023, the Maritime New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre received an alert from a personal locator beacon in the Tararua Range, near Wellington. Enquiries established the party was a group of two, on a multi-day “Northern Crossing” tramp from Levin to Masterton. The beacon’s GPS position indicated the party were in a steep gully, approximately 500 metres east of Tarn Ridge Hut. Winds of 80-100 kilometres per hour battered the range and light rain fell from the thick layer of cloud obscuring the tops. The missing party’s exposed position combined with the severe weather would prove extremely challenging for both airborne and land-based rescuers. Over the next 29 hours, multiple agencies including NZ Police, New Zealand Defence Force, Land Search and Rescue New Zealand and Life Flight worked together to safely bring the two trampers home. This SAR operation demonstrated the value of collaboration between coordinating authorities. Local coordination of search efforts through the New Zealand Police with the support of RCCNZ in planning, provision, and tasking of assets (such as aviation) positively impacted the outcome of this operation.  ⬇ Check out how the SAR operation was conducted via the link in the comments below.

#SARStats For the year ending 30 June 2024, there were 346 SAR incidents where the missing person had a cognitive impairment. Of those, 152 required a search and rescue operation to find the missing person. There were 26 search and rescue operations that were resolved because the person was wearing a WanderSearch pendant. These pendants contain a small radio frequency transmitter, which can be picked up by Land Search and Rescue New Zealand teams using specialist equipment. Brain injuries, neurological illness, dementia and intellectual disability are all examples of cognitive impairment. Previously, we have used the term 'wanderer' to describe people with cognitive impairment who go missing. However, this term does not recognise that many people with cognitive impairment travel purposefully, rather than wandering aimlessly. 📷: A breakdown of the 346 SAR incidents for people with cognitive impairment in the year ending 30 June 2024. Sourced from Link magazine, September 2024.

Our Te Reo Māori name - Rapu Whakarauora Aotearoa - was adopted in early 2020. It's an amalgamation of three words: rapu means search, rauora means rescue, and whaka gives mana to the word it is combined with. Te Wiki or te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) runs from 14-21 September. This year's theme is 'Ake ake ake - a Forever Language.' #TeWikioteReoMāori2024 #AkeAkeAke

#jobs The team at Drowning Prevention Auckland are looking for a part time project lead for Wai Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland's water safety and drowning prevention strategy. They're looking for someone experienced in the aquatic sector, who has excellent collaboration and project management skills. Check out the job description and apply online: https://lnkd.in/gNaM8W3d ⬇ The Auckland Harbour Bridge 'going blue' for World Drowning Prevention Day 2024. 📷 Belinda Coles Photography

#SARStats If you had an inkling that the last few years have been busier than usual, you're right! Incidents within our 30,000 square kilometre search and rescue region are up 44% compared to 10 years ago. About half of all SAR incidents lead to a SAR operation, where teams and assets are deployed to search for people in need. Each SAR operation is coordinated by either NZ Police or the Maritime New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre.

#SARInAction A kayaker had a narrow escape last month after a trip at Aotea/Great Barrier Island didn't go to plan. Unable to manage the worsening sea conditions, John bailed to a small beach, intending to set off his PLB to start a rescue. However, poor circulation in his hands caused by Raynaud's Syndrome prevented him from activating the device. When John didn't return home as planned, Police were alerted, and a rescue operation began. John was located in thick bush above the beach by the NZ Police Eagle helicopter, and was extracted the following morning. Coastguard New Zealand and Auckland Rescue also assisted. John has these words of advice for anyone considering heading out on the water: "If you know the location could be hard to get out of due to a sea change, available time, old age, or whatever, just sit on the beach instead. Then you’ll not have to give sincere apologies for putting wife, family and friends to awful worry, and many others to inconvenience or risk." ⬇ Check out John's first-hand account via the link in the comments below.

#SARtech It's not often you associate search and rescue with the motoring section of the paper, but it happened just last week in Stuff! INEOS Automotive has partnered up with Search and Rescue Dogs Avalanche New Zealand (SARDA) and donated two Grenadier SUVs for operational use in Canterbury and Otago, ensuring avalanche dogs can get on site as quickly as possible. ⬇ Read the full article in the comments. 📷 Some of the SARDA team with their new vehicle. Image courtesy SARDA

There's a curious phenomenon in the Tararua Ranges, where you can walk 15 minutes between signs, only to find that the time to the next hut has increased in time! 🤷🏽♀️ New Zealand Mountain Safety Council and Department of Conservation (DOC) are working on a project to ensure the posted track times are consistent and accurate. They're seeking input from the community to identify places in the Tararuas where the signposted times aren't quite right. If you've experienced this curious phenomenon with track signs, let the team know using the link in the comments below ⬇ 🏔 A typical track junction in the Tararuas 📷 Tania Seward NZSAR

#SARPeople Senior Constable Conrad Smith of NZ Police and Land Search and Rescue New Zealand is described by his colleagues as "a humble and inspirational leader... and a role model for building and maintaining relationships across the sector." Conrad has dedicated 18 years to New Zealand's SAR sector, from field team member to incident controller. He has managed numerous high-profile SAR operations in the Central North Island, including the Mangetepopo canyoning tragedy and the Te Maari eruption that destroyed Ketetahi Hut. Conrad has also volunteered for the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation (RARO) for over 15 years, often turning up for jobs on his days off from Police. He is frequently approached by newer team members who need a listening ear or some sage advice. He kotuku rerenga tahi. A white heron flies once. ⬇ Senior Constable Conrad Smith, winner of the Gold Award (Support) at this year's New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards.

In case you missed it: We're seeking feedback on Link magazine - what's working well and what we can improve on. Link (pun intended!) to the survey below ⬇