Celebrating 90 years of helping the lost, the missing and injured

The NZSAR Council congratulates New Zealand Land Search and Rescue on their 90th anniversary, which was celebrated on 1 May 2023.

The organisation’s beginnings are attributed to ‘The Sutch search’ of April 1933. A party of four were out for nearly two weeks before being found, traversing almost the entire length of the Waiohine valley in the Tararua Ranges. The search included days of effort by up to 200 people from multiple groups, supported by radio operators and aircraft. The scale and successful result made the operation headline news. This sparked vigorous public debate about the responsibilities of adventurers and those who might search for them if they didn’t return.

In 1934, New Zealand Land Search and Rescue began operating. Local Search and Rescue Groups were established, with advisers appointed by Police. Funding was made available from a government grant, which was administered through the Police.

New Zealand Land Search and Rescue operated under this structure for 70 years until becoming an Incorporated Society in 1994. A national committee oversaw the organisation; a chairperson, treasurer, five standing sub-committee chairs plus representatives from the seven volunteer regions, Police, Federated Mountain Clubs and the Department of Conservation.

Individuals from these organisations, plus from the Mountain Safety Council and New Zealand Speleological Society comprised the member base. “The dedication and selflessness of Land Search and Rescue volunteers never fails to impress me,” says Chief Executive Carl McOnie. “They willingly put themselves in challenging and extreme situations to help others, often sacrificing their time and comfort without expecting anything in return."

From its beginnings in the hills behind Wellington, the organisation has grown to cover our entire nation. Just as the popularity and capability of outdoor adventure spread and grew, so did the volunteers, capabilities, funding and staff support of Land Search and Rescue.

Candice Tovey is a current staff member, as well as a volunteer for Wakatipu Land Search and Rescue. “When I joined as a field volunteer 11 years ago, I did so to give back to my community. I underestimated the huge privilege it is to volunteer alongside others; there is no greater feeling of purpose than bringing a person home to their family and friends. Our volunteers are truly humble and amazing people who I am very proud to support as a staff member, as well as volunteer.”

These days, there are 62 Land Search and Rescue groups, and 11 specialist teams around Aotearoa New Zealand. In nine decades, just about everything has changed; from equipment, methodologies and management techniques, to training, funding and governance.

But as Graham Pomeroy, Chair of Land Search and Rescue says, the ethos across the organisation hasn’t changed at all. “It is to support our dedicated teams of volunteers with the very best training and equipment. To be at the forefront and to embrace the latest technology and innovation. And to never forget that everything we do is driven to achieving the best outcome for the lost, missing and injured.”

Header image: The missing party in the ‘Sutch Search’ – From Evening Post, 1 May 1933. Courtesy of New Zealand Free Lance Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library

This article was first published in the June 2023 issue of Link Magazine.