Selflessness, bravery, and operational excellence honoured at NZ Search and Rescue Awards
These awards are presented annually in recognition of outstanding achievements within New Zealand’s search and rescue region, which covers 30 million square kilometres.
On 17 May 2022, His Excellency Dr Richard Davies presented the 2021 New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards.
Awards given in the Operations category recognise significant rescue operations that took place between 1 January and 31 December 2021.
Awards given in the Support category recognise the contributions of individuals to search and rescue in New Zealand.
One Gold Award and up to four Certificates of Achievement are awarded in each category. Twenty-eight nominations were received for 2021, with two Gold Awards and eight Certificates of Achievement being awarded at this year’s ceremony.
“The calibre of this year’s Award winners is very high,” says New Zealand Search and Rescue Secretariat Director Duncan Ferner.
“Some of these individuals have involved in search and rescue for decades. Others have only been involved for a few years but have already had a tangible impact on the sector. Their skills, dedication and experience are typical of the search and rescue professionals that serve New Zealand.
“Every one of them has sacrificed time with their whānau, friends and communities to reunite families, and bring loved ones home.”
Those who received awards were:
Gold Award – Operational
The Gold Award for Operational Activity is awarded for a very significant contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during 2021.
West Coast Police SAR Squad
Christchurch Police SAR Squad
South Westland LandSAR
Hokitika LandSAR
Methven LandSAR
Aoraki/Mt Cook Alpine Rescue Team
The Helicopter Line – Mt Cook
Precision Helicopters
GCH Aviation Rescue Helicopter
For the rescue of a tramper near Mungo Pass on 23-27 February 2021.
Gold Award – Support
The Gold Award for Support Activity is awarded for a very significant contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region.
Alan Doy, LandSAR
For his commitment to search and rescue and Taranaki LandSAR.
Certificates of Achievement – Operational Activity
The NZSAR Certificates of Achievement for Operational Activity are awarded for an important contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during 2021.
Christchurch Alpine Cliff Rescue Team
GCH Aviation Greymouth Rescue Helicopter
Christchurch Police SAR Squad
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand
For the rescue of two climbers from Kaimatau/Mount Rolleston on 22-23 October 2021.
Karekare Surf Life Saving Club
For the rescue of an adult and two children from Karekare Beach on 21 November 2021.
Senior Constable Mark Lendrum
For the rescue of four adults near Kaiaua on 6 February 2021.
Whangārei Police SAR Squad
Northland LandSAR
Far North LandSAR
Whangārei Coastguard
Ruakākā Surf Life Saving Club
Skywork Helicopters
Whangārei Fire Brigade
For the rescue of a man from Mount Parihaka on 8-11 July 2021.
Certificates of Achievement – Support Activity
The NZSAR Certificates of Achievement for Support Activity are awarded for an important contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region.
Phoebe Havill
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
For her service and commitment to Surf Life Saving New Zealand and the Wāhine on Water programme.
Peter Kara
Coastguard New Zealand Tautiaki Moana Aotearoa
For his service and commitment to search and rescue and Coastguard Nelson.
Richard Craig
Coastguard New Zealand Tautiaki Moana Aotearoa
For his service and commitment to search and rescue and Coastguard Kaikoura.
Ray Harkness
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
For his service and commitment to search and rescue and WanderSearch.
More information about the Awards and NZSAR
The New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Council was established in 2003 to provide strategic leadership to the New Zealand search and rescue sector. We help improve the overall co-ordination, cohesion, capability and leadership of search and rescue by working alongside the key organisations and individuals providing search and rescue services throughout New Zealand. For more information see nzsar.govt.nz
In the year ending 30 June 2021, New Zealand’s search and rescue sector responded to 2,966 incidents, resulting in 134 lives saved, 595 people rescued and 792 people assisted. There are over 11,500 people involved in search and rescue in New Zealand, with over 90 percent being volunteers.
Full Award citations
Images
Media contact
Tania Seward
Senior Advisor Communications and Prevention, NZ Search and Rescue
022 015 3863
t.seward@nzsar.govt.nz