In New Zealand, as well as all those who fly, travel by sea or need to be in remote areas for their employment, many people enjoy recreational activities in the mountains, rivers, along the coast and at sea. Occasionally, things don’t go to plan and people become lost, are injured or unable to get back to safety.
Many people who are rescued in New Zealand are taking part in outdoor sports and recreation, usually in summer. Boating and tramping account for many search and rescue operations. Mishaps during other risky pursuits such as hunting, mountaineering, surfing, caving and rafting also result in many callouts.
People with cognitive impairments and small children may wander into unfamiliar territory, become lost and need assistance to return to safety.
Calling for help
For many years, if you got into trouble in the bush or at sea, you were on your own until someone could get back to civilisation to call for help. From the 1960s, volunteer groups hired out portable radios, installed radios in mountain huts and monitored receivers for calls from anyone in trouble.
Today, technology has moved on. While many people assume they can rely on their cellphones, reception remains patchy in many parts of New Zealand. Personal locator beacons (PLBs), which can be hired or bought from many trusts and shops, provide coverage even where there is no cell signal. They broadcast to a satellite or aircraft, which alerts the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre. PLBs can be used only for emergencies.
Marine radios and satellite messenger devices offer two-way communication. Each technology has pros and cons, so you should research the options before choosing which one is best for you.
How do people get into trouble?
There are many ways that people can get into trouble, including changing weather conditions, failed, insufficient or inadequate equipment, inexperience or poor decision-making. Accidents and medical events may be beyond the control of the people affected.
Preparation is the best defence against getting into trouble. The organisations involved in search and rescue have developed land, water and boating safety codes, which are available on the AdventureSmart.nz website. These codes give simple advice for how to prepare as well as what to do to keep safe.
Learning the appropriate skills for the environments they visit can help people survive in an emergency. Carrying safety equipment and first aid supplies is also vital. A cellphone, personal locator beacon, marine radio and flares can be used to summon help quickly.
Number of rescues
In 2021–22, according to New Zealand Search and Rescue figures, there were 1,747 Category I and 1,124 Category II incidents. Altogether, search and rescue responded to 2,871 incidents, resulting in 150 lives being saved, 715 people rescued and 799 people assisted.
Costs
In 2021–22, the government spent $42.1 million on Search and Rescue, including the cost of operations, training, preparation and upgrading equipment. This sum did not take account of the many unpaid hours worked by volunteers.