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NZSAR Council

The New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Council (est. 2003) provides strategic governance to all search and rescue agencies in New Zealand. The Council comprises the Chief Executives (or their designated representatives) of seven Government Departments with roles and responsibilities to the Search and Rescue (SAR) Sector. It is chaired by the CEO of the Ministry of Transport.

The Council

The Council is supported by a Secretariat and a Consultative Committee. The Secretariat provides policy and strategic advice to the Council, while the Consultative Committee (supported by the Secreatariat) is a forum of representatives from the many organisations in the broader SAR sector.

The mandate of the Council is to:

- provide strong strategic co-ordination for all search and rescue in New Zealand.
- provide strategic policy advice to government.
- be responsible for developing and maintaining a New Zealand search and rescue plan.
- be responsible for establishing a New Zealand search and rescue vision, mission and goals.

The Organisations

Government Departments with roles and responsibilities to the Search and Rescue (SAR) Sector. For more information about each department visit their website.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Open Link Description
- The Civil Aviation Authority is a Crown entity. They work to make sure everyone involved in New Zealand aviation meets the legal standards set by the Minister of Transport, overseeing aviation safety, operating the Aviation Security Service.
Department of Conservation (DOC)
Open Link Description
- The Department of Conservation is the government agency charged with conserving New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage. The Department supports New Zealanders to participate safely in recreation on public conservation land – an important part of this is working collaboratively with the Search and Rescue sector.
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ)
Open Link Description
- Maritime NZ is the national regulatory, compliance and response agency for the safety, security and environmental protection of coastal and inland waterways. Their Rescue Coordination Centre is responsible for Coordination Category II incidents. They also lead the Boating Safety Forum.
Ministry of Transport (MoT)
Open Link Description
- The vision of the Ministry of Transport is to lead transport solutions for New Zealand.
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
Open Link Description
- The mission for the New Zealand Defence Force is "to secure New Zealand against external threat, to protect our sovereign interests, including the Exclusive Economic Zone, and to take action to meet likely contingencies in New Zealand’s area of strategic interest".
New Zealand Police
Open Link Description
- New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for reducing crime and enhancing community safety.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ)
Open Link Description
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand is New Zealand's unified urban and rural firefighting organisation. It undertakes urban search and rescue.