Search and Rescue is vital to New Zealand’s outdoor psyche.

Numerous people owe their lives to the efforts of dedicated police, coastguard, trampers, mountaineers, mariners, aviators, military personnel and others (many of whom are volunteers) that have provided the search and rescue services around New Zealand. 

We have a long and proud history of helping people who find themselves in peril in the New Zealand environment.

The New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Council  has a mandate from the Government to provide strong strategic leadership to this large sector of invaluable organisations and individuals.  

The Council’s role is to provide strategic co-ordination and governance. We endeavour to improve the overall co-ordination, cohesion, capability and leadership of search and rescue at a national level across all types of incidents. 

On behalf of the NZSAR Council it is my pleasure to welcome you to our website. Please use it to learn more about NZSAR and search and rescue in New Zealand.

You will find information on current issues facing the sector, reports, material relevant to the search and rescue field and links to various search and rescue organisations both here in New Zealand and overseas.

Wayne Donnelly

Chair

New Zealand Search and Rescue Council