Entries welcomed for NZ Search and Rescue Awards

Since 1999, the NZSAR Awards have acknowledged outstanding achievements by individuals, groups and organisations throughout the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region.

The nomination process is coordinated by Tania Seward, NZSAR Senior Advisor Communications and Prevention. “Every year I’m blown away by the calibre of nominations we get in,” she says. “It’s actually quite emotional reading about volunteers who have headed into the mountains at midnight, or helicopters operating towards the limits of the machine, or the reaction of the person who was rescued from a sinking boat.”

Recognition is awarded across two categories: operational activity and support activity.

The operational category is open to SAR operations that took place between 1 January and 31 December 2022 and were coordinated by either Police or the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand.

Last year, the search and rescue sector responded to over 2,800 incidents. Each year, there are around 15 to 20 nominations in the operational category, generally representing the most challenging or technical operations that demanded the very best from the people involved.

“The standard of nominations makes the job of the selection panel very difficult indeed” says Tania.

The support category is open to individuals, groups or initiatives which have made a significant contribution to search and rescue in New Zealand.

“We’re looking at the impact that has been made on the search and rescue sector, whether through exemplary technical skills, transformational leadership or a programme that saves lives. It doesn’t matter whether it is over years or decades, it is the impact that counts.”

"If you’re unsure if you should write a nomination, we encourage you to go ahead and put one in.”

The official ceremony is a fitting way to celebrate the efforts of those who receive awards, and at the same time, promote the work of the entire sector to the public of New Zealand.

“We want to continue to tell the country what an important role the sector plays in society. Seeing the NZSAR Awards on the TV, online or in a newspaper could be just the extra nudge that someone needs to donate money to the sector, or finally apply to volunteer and contribute themselves.”

Entries for the 2022 NZSAR Awards close on 31 January 2023, and the award ceremony will take place in Wellington in May.

More details about the nomination process can be found here.

Need help with writing a nomination?
Contact Tania Seward on 022 015 3863 or t.seward@nzsar.govt.nz