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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. 

NZSAR Council

The Council

The New Zealand Search and Rescue Council provides national level strategic governance, oversight and leadership to the New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) system, to support the current and future needs. 

The Council supports the system to respond to people who are lost, missing or in distress and help the safe return of loved ones to their whānau and friends. They oversee and lead the NZSAR system to support efforts to reduce the number and impact of SAR incidents when they occur. 

 

They do this by: 

  • Setting a clear vision, mission, goals, and strategic plan for the NZSAR system. 
  • Maintaining oversight of system needs and capabilities to influence investment decisions to agencies and NGOs. 
  • Providing strategic advice and highlights risks and issues within the NZSAR system to agencies, NGOs, and government. 
  • Developing and maintaining the NZSAR operational framework. 
  • Monitoring and reporting on SAR trends, risks, data, finances, performance, and obligations to: 
    • assure we have the systems and processes in place to optimise search and rescue outcomes 
    • understand and improve system performance 
    • provide information to agencies and NGOs to support them with their activities 
    • ensure the NZSAR system addresses system risks, is aligned with adjacent systems and incorporates lessons learned. 
  • Monitoring delivery against New Zealand’s national and international SAR obligations. 
  • Setting the NZSAR Council work programme and ensuring its effective delivery. 

 

Two sub-committees support the Council: The Strategy Advisory Group and the Operational Leadership Group. 

The Organisations

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

Council Members

Ruth Fairhall   profile pic 370x270

Ruth Fairhall

Acting Chair of the NZSAR Council and Acting CE of Transport

Kirstie Hewlett NZSAR Council

Kirstie Hewlett

Director Maritime New Zealand

Keith Manch 3

Keith Manch

Director of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive

Commissioner Richard Chambers

Richard Chambers

Commissioner New Zealand Police

Tony Davies CDF profile image 370x270px

Air Marshal Tony Davies

Chief of Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force

Penny Nelson SAR Council 1

Penny Nelson

Director General Department of Conservation

Giuliana Petronelli 370x270px

Giuliana Petronelli​​​​

Independent Council Member

Kerry Gregory CE FENZ 370x270px v2

Kerry Gregory

Chief Executive of FENZ

Documents

Documents relating to the NZSAR Council.

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