Dunedin Land Search and Rescue

14/04/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend? Our neighbours Catlins Search & Rescue have setup this fundraiser.

Registration closes today, get in asap if you are keen!

Catlins Walk 18th April 26
You can email me for forms or use the QR code

07/03/2026

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women who are an integral part of the Land Search and Rescue community here in Dunedin.

Search and rescue is built on teamwork and today we recognise and thank the women who give their energy to keeping others safe in the outdoors. Your contribution is valued, respected, and deeply appreciated.

Happy International Women’s Day!

27/01/2026

Dunedin's own chairman helping spread some sage advice.
Listen up folks 😉

24/01/2026

Police are asking for the public’s help finding Kevin John Singh Belling, who was reported missing from the Invercargill area.

The 62-year-old was reported missing on Sunday 18 January, however he was last seen and spoken to on Friday 9 January at his place of business in Motu Rimu.

Police have conducted a series of enquiries but have unfortunately been unable to locate him, and are now seeking help from the public.

It is believed that Kevin could still be in the Invercargill area.

Police and Kevin’s family have serious concerns for his welfare and would like to find him as soon as possible.

If you have seen Kevin, or have any information that could help us find him, please call 111 and reference file number: 260118/6964.

15/01/2026

Our dunedin group had a number of volunteers head up to assist with Connor's search.

Kia Ora Bike House community,
We are raising funds in memory of our much-loved colleague and friend, Connor.
Connor’s passing has deeply affected his family, friends, and everyone at Bike House, as well as the wider Dunedin community. He was a valued member of our team and will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and the positive impact he had on all those around him.
At his family’s request, donations are being made to Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR). LandSAR volunteers give their time, skills, and compassion to help bring people home, and to support families during some of their hardest moments.
Bike House has made an initial donation of $1,000 to begin this fundraiser.
If you would like to contribute, your support will help LandSAR continue their vital work across Aotearoa, and would mean a great deal to Connor’s family.

https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/in-memory-of-connor-supporting-land-search

Thank you for your kindness and for helping honour Connor’s memory.
Kā mihi nui 🤍

07/01/2026

Not the result we had hoped for, our thoughts are with Connor's family and friends.

Thank you to all the field team members from our group, neighbouring groups and other agencies for all your efforts.

Teams searching for missing man Connor Purvis have located a body high on the southern side of Mount Huxley about 9am this morning.

While formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be the missing 20-year-old who intended to climb Mount Huxley late last month.

This was hard work, in a remote, rugged and high-risk environment.

Police would like to thank all those who assisted in the search efforts, including multiple local volunteers and search teams such as the Omarama volunteer fire brigade, also members of the public who reported information to help us understand our search area.

It’s been a long, tough week for all involved. This has been a true team effort and the good people of Omarama and Mackenzie have been providing incredible support to the search teams.

In particular we extend our thanks to the following agencies:

Oamarama Land Search and Rescue
Oamaru Land Search and Rescue
Wanaka Land Search and Rescue
Dunedin Land Search and Rescue
Mackenzie Land Search and Rescue
Otago Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Oamaru Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Mt Cook Department of Conservation Alpine Cliff Rescue Team
Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue
Wanaka Swiftwater, Canyon Search and Rescue Team
Heliventures (Oamaru)
Helicopter Line (Mt Cook)

Police are grateful to Connor’s friends and family for their input and assistance with the search. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to them during this difficult time.

06/01/2026

A number of our team are out in the high country doing their bit.
God speed to all

A significant search effort is continuing for missing tramper Connor Purvis.

Yesterday’s searches were focused in the upper South Temple Valley, Mt Huxley and the Huxley River South Branch, both on foot and via helicopter.

A continued effort again today will focus on Mt Huxley, the Huxley River South Branch and upper Ahuriri River.

Specialist search teams working today include Wānaka Canyon and Drone teams, the Dunedin Cliff rescue team, a number of Land Search and Rescue teams and Amateur Radio Emergency Communicators (AREC).

Helicopter support for searching and logistics continues to be provided by Heli Ventures out of Ōamaru and Helicopter Line from Mt Cook.

Police are interested to hear from anyone who has climbed Mt Huxley in the past several weeks. Please contact Police via 105 and reference file 260102/2266.

Police want to thank the Ōmārama and wider Mackenzie community, along with the Ōmārama volunteer fire brigade for their outstanding support of the search effort.

We are also grateful for the efforts of the Ōamaru, Ōmārama, Twizel and Dunedin Land Search and Rescue groups, who are working in difficult and rugged terrain.

18/08/2025

Hey you awesome people who follow our Dunedin group page.
If you use the following link you will go straight to our sign up page, where the donations come directly to our Dunedin group.
https://kora.co.nz/dnlandsar

And if you fill up on a day when Waitomo to matching NPD its extra savings for you.
I paid a $1.43 a litre for diesel last week whilst also giving 2c a litre to the group.

Want cheaper fuel and a way to give back?

With Kora, you get a fuel discount AND can choose to donate a few cents per liter to support Land Search and Rescue. It’s a win-win — you save at the pump, and we stay ready to respond everywhere for everyone across Aotearoa New Zealand.

👉 Sign up now and start saving:
🔗 kora.co.nz/landsar

Fuel your car. Fuel our mission.

26/06/2025

Send a message to learn more

24/06/2025

Some of our Dunedin Land Search and Rescue were on hand this morning for the very beneficial funding announcement this morning.

💙 Thrilled to announce a $76.7 million funding boost for New Zealand Search and Rescue, whilst in Dunedin this morning! 💙

This will ensure a dozen organisations can continue their lifesaving operations over the next three years.

I’m also excited to confirm an investment of $624,000 over the same period, to help maintain and improve recreational aviation safety across the country.

Many thanks to the Dunedin Land Search & Rescue New Zealand, Coastguard New Zealand & New Zealand Police representatives for joining me to share the news!

Read more here:
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/lifesaving-funding-boosts-kiwis-outdoor-safety

19/06/2025

We have epic people putting in solid training and call out hours! These stats don't include the massive amount of planning, emails and phone calls behind the scenes.

This National Volunteer Week we would like to acknowledge the efforts put in by our team, along with their families, friends and employers that make it all happen.

Always ready to help the lost, missing and injured.

Keep up the good work!

29/05/2025

Red you deserve to put your paws up! Barry and Red have always been ready to go at a moments notice to help the lost, missing and injured.

We are extremely grateful for your dedication to training and searching, your dog/human hours and search stats are through the roof.

Rest up Red! Thank you!

Hi all, its been a long time since you've seen a post from me., i've been busy and the boss has been lazy.

Tomorrow is a big day for me, it will the my last day of being an operational search dog with NZ Land SAR Dogs age at the age of 11 im going to retire and put my paws up.

I would like to thank all those that have helped and supported me to do what i do, the boss said without that support we would not have been as successful as we have been.I have privileged to worked alongside many awesome search teams from different areas in lots of different and difficult places to help to find the lost missing and injured, without your support this would not have been possible so a big thank You, your not forgotten and im truly grateful for your support.

Big Jeff is still going strong, he has taken my place as top dog with a job, the boss also has two other young dogs in training, Bindi the blond and Maca, Jeffrey's son

The boss said he will post some photos of me from the last couple of years just for you guys and some pics of the young dogs.

Thank you all, Red.