Exceptional Achievements And Dedication Honoured At The NZ Search And Rescue Awards
A surf lifeguard diving under an upturned boat, forcing open the cabin hatch and pulling a trapped man free.
Two decades of developing and improving a device for people with cognitive impairments, significantly increasing the chances of a successful search and rescue operation.
These are just two examples of the exceptional skill and dedication being celebrated at this year's New Zealand's Search and Rescue (NZSAR) 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.
This evening (Tuesday 6 May 2025) the Hon James Meager, Associate Minister for Transport will present two Gold Awards and seven Certificates of Achievement at this year's ceremony, being held at Parliament.
The Awards are determined by the New Zealand Search and Rescue Council.
'The tales of determination and commitment to search and rescue are truly inspiring,' says Acting Council Chair Ruth Fairhall. 'Each of these recipients have gone above and beyond to help reunite the lost, missing and injured with their friends and whānau.'
'On behalf of all New Zealand, we congratulate the Award recipients. Your contributions to our society are incredibly important, and we are very grateful for your exceptional dedication and service.'
Awards given in the Operations category recognise significant rescue operations that took place between 1 January and 31 December 2024.
Awards given in the Support category recognise the contributions of individuals to search and rescue in New Zealand.
Those receiving awards are:
Gold Award – Operational Activity
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 2024.
Raglan Surf Lifesaving Club
For the rescue of three people from a boat overturned on the Raglan Bar.
On 1 December 2024, Police were informed that a small fishing boat carrying a family of three had capsized crossing the Raglan Bar. Although the son had been thrown clear and the mother was able to get out of the boat, the father remained trapped in the upturned hull, breathing from a small air pocket.
Members of the Raglan Surf Life Saving Club were training nearby with Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB). They responded immediately and pulled the mother and son from the water. Unable to locate the father, a Surf Lifeguard entered the water to check the boat, cutting his way through tangled fishing line. After banging on the hull and hearing a response from the forward cabin, the Surf Lifeguard forced open the cabin hatch and pull the trapped man free. These swift actions almost certainly saved the man's life.
Gold Award – Support Activity
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.
Ian Trethowen
For the development and ongoing support of WanderSearch.
A WanderSearch device is a small, radio frequency transmitter than can be worn by individuals with cognitive impairment who are at risk of going missing or becoming lost. Ian developed and manufactured the first devices, which were issued in Nelson in 2006 and quickly showed their value. Over the years, Ian has made significant improvements to the wearable devices and the tracking equipment. His ongoing dedication and commitment to improving the technology has profoundly improved the safety and well-being of many vulnerable individuals and the effectiveness of search and rescue for people with cognitive impairment.
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 2024.
Coastguard South Taranaki
For the search for a missing diver near Pātea Bar, South Taranaki.
Zack Armstrong and Hernan Holliday, GCH Aviation – Greymouth team members. For the rescue of a tramper trapped between boulders in the Taipo River.
For the rescue of fishermen swept from rocks near Tapotupotu Bay.
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.
Bart Kindt
For the development of SARTrack Incident Management Software.
Graeme Hill
For his service and commitment to New Zealand Land Search and Rescue Dogs and Search and Rescue in the Waikato region.
Don Robertson
For his service and commitment to Amateur Radio Emergency Communication (AREC).
Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro – Tūwharetoa
For Iwi support to Police Search and Rescue in the Central North Island and Bay of Plenty.
Search and rescue statistics
For the year ending 31 December 2024, there were 3,472 search and rescue (SAR) incidents, where authorities believe a person was a risk and in need of SAR services. Within these incidents, there were:
138 Lives saved, where if SAR agencies had not intervened, lives would definitely have been lost.
777 people rescued, where SAR agencies locate and rescue people at risk, and return them to a safe location.
928 people assisted, where SAR agencies aid people at low risk but who, if left, would be at risk. 63,211 people hours.
2,683 operational asset hours.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
RNZ recognised at Radio and Podcast Awards
Alexa Cook (left) won best journalist, while Kate Green was awarded best new journalist. Photo: RNZ RNZ has won plaudits for its news and podcasts at the annual Radio and Podcast Awards. RNZ's Alexa Cook won best journalist, and reporter Kate Green was awarded best new journalist. RNZ's journalism was also recognised for best team coverage on the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui . RNZ was also a finalist in the category for its coverage of the Tangi of Kiingi Tuheitia. RNZ won five podcast categories, including best podcast producer or producing team. The Detail , a Newsroom production for RNZ, again picked up best news and current affairs podcast. Nellie's Baby , a hit podcast by RNZ investigative journalist Kirsty Johnston, won best society and culture podcast. In the radio categories, Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking was awarded best talk presenter, ahead of stablemate Heather du Plessis, RNZ's Lisa Owen for Checkpoint and Morning Report' s Corin Dann and Ingrid Hipkiss. Sunday Morning host Jim Mora was recognised for services to broadcasting. Newstalk ZB won network station of the year and More FM Northland won local station of the year. The Sir Paul Holmes Broadcaster of the Year was Newstalk ZB's Heather du Plessis-Allan. The full list of winners is here . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
Body found in river during Canterbury search
(File photo) Photo: Police say a body has been found during a search and rescue operation in Canterbury. About 3:15pm on Thursday, a helicopter crew taking part in the search said it had spotted a body in the Boyle River, police said in a bulletin. "While the formal identification process is yet to be completed, it is believed to be the man who was swept into the river earlier this afternoon," they said. "Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this tragic time. Much of New Zealand has been hit by storms, with strong winds and heavy rain in some places. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Fire And Emergency King's Birthday Honours Recipients Congratulated
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan has congratulated four Fire and Emergency personnel from Oxford, Fox Glacier, Matatā and Taihape who have been recognised in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours List released today. "These awards recognise the outstanding contributions that our people have made to Fire and Emergency, Search and Rescue and their local communities over many years," Rebecca Keoghan says. The recipients are: Ronald (Ron) Ealam (Oxford) - Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Search and Rescue Marius Bron (Fox Glacier) - King's Service Medal (KSM) for services to Search and Rescue and the community Gavin Dennis (Matatā) - King's Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community Alan (Curly) Troon (Taihape) - King's Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. 'We are all incredibly proud of this fantastic achievement," Rebecca Keoghan says. "On behalf of Fire and Emergency, thank you for your ongoing dedication to our organisation and your communities." Additional information: Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) Ronald Bruce (Ron) Ealam Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Search and Rescue Mr Ron Ealam has been contributing to Land Search and Rescue for more than 50 years. Mr Ealam has been a member of the Oxford Fire Brigade since 1996. He has contributed 25 years of service to the New Zealand Land Search and Rescue Dogs, helping train dogs. He has been a qualified national trainer and assessor for Search Dogs for more than ten years, specialising in border collies, attending several annual dog training camps each year. He helped develop the official New Zealand Land Search and Rescue Search Dogs Training Pathway and Assessments in 2009, which forms the basis of the Search Dogs pathways today. He has been a member of the Oxford Land Search and Rescue, contributing to local search and rescue meetings and training nights, and training dogs, which takes at least two years before they become operational. During the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, he was part of the initial response in the first three days in the Redcliff area and helped with welfare and house checks. He has been the elected Group Chair for Oxford Land Search and Rescue for more than 10 years. Mr Ealam received the New Zealand Search and Rescue Excellence award in 2023 for his contributions. King's Service Medal (KSM) Marius Jean Bron King's Service Medal (KSM) for services to Search and Rescue and the community Mr Marius Bron has served the Fox Glacier community in various volunteer emergency service roles since 1999. On a voluntary basis Mr Bron leads the local branches of South Westland Land Search and Rescue Group, the Civil Defence service and the Community Committee. He also volunteers for the Department of Conservation, assisting in the management of alpine huts in the area. He works to ensure these huts are fit for use by both domestic and international visitors. He is also a local volunteer firefighter for Fire and Emergency New Zealand and a St John Ambulance first responder. The skills he has gained from these various roles make him a central figure in the Fox Glacier community. He and his team have received national recognition for their search and rescue efforts, including the successful rescue of two climbers on Mt Rolleston and the successful overnight rescue of an injured person on a glacier. He was involved in the creation of important facilities for the Fox Glacier community, including the Emergency Services Centre and the Community Centre. His efforts included driving the concept stage, fundraising and project managing. In addition to his volunteer work, Mr Bron is Operations Manager at Fox Glacier Guiding, which brings tourist business to the community. Gavin Lloyd Dennis, JP King's Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community Mr Gavin Dennis has served the Matatā community for close to 40 years. Mr Dennis is currently Chief Fire Officer of the Matatā Volunteer Fire Brigade, having held various ranks since joining in 1987. While Deputy Chief Fire Officer, he played a key role in the response to major flood events in 2005, with the town cut off for several days. He instigated the Matatā Volunteer Fire Brigade's Cadet Programme in 2014, for young people aged 15 to 16 to join the brigade to gain experience and life skills. The programme has been successful in recruiting these young people as volunteer recruit firefighters when eligible, forming a large part of the brigade's membership over the past 10 years. He was a member of the Rangitaiki Community Board from 2007 to 2019, serving four years as Deputy Chairperson, and helped oversee the town's recovery efforts following the 2017 Edgecumbe flood event. He has served on the Boards of Trustees of Matatā Public School and Trident High School, including holding several offices across the period 1993 to 2010. He has chaired the Matatā Residents Association and the Matatā Community Resource Centre. Mr Dennis was elected to the Whakatāne District Council in 2019. Alan Rex (Curly) Troon King's Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand Mr Alan "Curly" Troon is a Life Member of the Taihape Volunteer Fire Brigade and has helped to promote Taihape through gumboot throwing. Mr Troon joined the Taihape Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1991 and has been Chief Fire Officer since 2009, being awarded Life Membership in 2022. He oversaw the rebuild of the new Taihape Fire Station which opened in 2022. He has worked for Rangitikei County Council and has held many volunteer roles within the community, including past President of the Taihape Tennis Association and Taihape Kindergarten Committee and is the current President of the New Zealand Boot Throwing Association (NZBTA). In the mid-1980s, he became a champion thrower in Taihape's annual Gumboot Day and has since promoted the sport with his wife. They have taken Taihape to world competitions. In 2021 he won the Toyota Lifetime Legacy Award from NZBTA as part of the Norwood Rural Sports Award. He is a past member of the Taihape St John Area Committee and has driven the Taihape ambulance when the team is short staffed. Mr Troon has been coaching young people at the Taihape Badminton Club since 2023.
