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.
2022 Awards
On Tuesday 16 May 2022, the Hon Kiri Allan, Associate Minister for Transport presented the 2022 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 Northern Rescue Helicopters, Northland Police SAR Squad, Police National Dive Squad, Maritime NZ Rescue Coordination Centre, the crew of Florence Nightingale, the crew of Pacific Invader and Kobe O’Neill, for the rescue of 10 people from the vessel Enchanter near North Cape / Otou between 20-21 March 2022.
The Gold Award for Support Activity was presented to John Munro of Locator Beacons New Zealand, for his commitment to search and rescue.
Four Certificates of Achievement for Operational Activity, and three Certificates of Achievement for Support Activity were also presented to worthy recipients during the ceremony.
The full citations, media release and commemorative booklet are available to download from our site.
For media enquiries
Tania Seward, Senior Advisor Communications, NZ Search and Rescue. 022 015 3863 / t.seward@nzsar.govt.nz
Nominations for the 2023 awards are open
These awards are for Operations during 2023 calendar year and for Support Activities. Nominations close 31 January 2024.
Visit nzsar.govt.nz/nzsar-awards/nominations to nominate a person, organisation or group for the awards.
Award policies, background information and advice are also available for viewing.
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 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.