New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards
Each year, excellence in search and rescue is formally recognised at the New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Awards
The Awards acknowledge the dedication, achievements and sacrifices made by paid professionals and volunteers involved throughout the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region.
Congratulations to the 2023 NZSAR Award winners
On Tuesday 21 May 2024, the Hon Matt Doocey, Associate Minister for Transport presented the 2023 New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards.
The awards ceremony was recorded and is available to view on the NZSAR YouTube Channel
The Gold Award for Operational Activity was presented to Hawke’s Bay SLSNZ SAR Squad, for the rescue of over 200 people from Esk Valley and Pakowhai during Cyclone Gabrielle on 14 February 2023.
The Gold Award for Support Activity was presented to Senior Constable Conrad Smith, for his service and commitment to search and rescue and the Ruapehu Emergency Services Charitable Trust.
Five Certificates of Achievement for Operational Activity, and Five Certificates of Achievement for Support Activity were also presented to worthy recipients during the ceremony.
A media release and full citations of all the award recipients can be downloaded from the past winners page.
Nominations for the 2024 NZSAR Awards will close on 31 January 2025.
About the NZSAR Awards
Award categories
There are two categories of SAR related activity covered by the NZSAR Awards:
- Operational Activity. This category is for nominations relating to a specific SAR operation(s) that have occurred during the calendar year.
- Support Activity. This category is for nominations that do not relate to specific SAR operation(s) but to the wider range of SAR related activities (for example training, prevention, and long service).
Levels of recognition
There are two levels of recognition for each category in the NZSAR Awards programme.
- Gold Awards. Commencing in 1999, this annual award honours the person, group or organisation that has made a very significant contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during that year or over a sustained period. Gold Awards can be presented in both the Operational and Support categories.
- Certificates of Achievement. Commencing in 2008, certificates are awarded to people, groups or organisations that have made an important contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during that year or over a sustained period. Certificates of Achievement can be presented in both the Operational and Support categories.
If, in the opinion of the NZSAR Council, there is no nomination of sufficiently high standard to qualify, a decision may be made not to present a Gold Award or Certificate for any given year.
Past winners
Records of previous winners, Award booklets and citations are available for download from our site.
Learn more about the Awards and hear from a previous year's award ceremony below.