Land Search & Rescue Southland

06/06/2026

A message from our Coastguard friends!

21/02/2026

Awesome work team! Like all influencers, it's only the glamorous shiny stuff that gets shown, not the hard slog in.

When out exploring this weekend, we encountered a good reminder about doing your research before heading out on a hike, and not just seeing a pretty pic online and under-estimating its challenges and over-estimating your abilities. We had an experienced prepared group heading into Lake Marian and even then, with the lack of adventures over the last few months my fitness level was pushed on the way up, with the Leave no Trace ethos a struggle to follow as I was pretty sure I was going to leave my lunch and a lung on the side of the track. We came across a group of tourists heading up to the lake at 6pm on our way back down, begging us for water and completely unprepared with some in skirts, cardies and ballet flats. They were still at least an hour away from making it to the lake and were going to be returning in the dark (without a torch) if they continued on. We strongly recommended they turn around and come back another day when they were prepared with appropriate clothing, water and supplies. We dont believe they followed our advice unfortunately.

Travel influencers will preferably post in a way that informs followers of the risks involved to gain the pretty pics however, the ultimate responsibility lies with each and every one of us to do our own research and be prepared, and not just gung ho throw ourselves into situations that are outside of our abilities.

Please - know before you go and if in doubt, pull out! There was good signage at the start of the track that is clearly just ignored by visitors chasing the ‘gram. Don’t be ‘that guy’ (or gal) 🥴🤦🏼‍♀️

As the sign says - Your Safety, Your Responsibility 🫵

16/02/2026

A couple of photos from the Southern Grilles & Gasoline Car and Bike show earlier in the month. Thanks heaps to everyone who turned up to support them (and us!)

Full credit for the photos goes to their official photographer, Passion Photography! Check out more pics of the event and some cool machines at https://www.passionphotography.co.nz/burgerfuel-southern-grilles-car-26

06/02/2026

If you're down at the BurgerFuel Southern Grilles & Gasoline Car and Bike show, call in and say gday. You won't miss us, you have to walk around us to get in!

30/11/2025

We had a great time at the Southland Santa Parade yesterday, and it was awesome to see lots of our volunteers there in various capacities! Some were manning road closures so the parade could go ahead, others were marching with the pipe band and other groups, one was having a lie down (in a stretcher...being wheeled by more awesome volunteers) and a few more were waving from the sides.

Thanks to everyone who turned up to watch and a special thanks to everyone who made it happen behind the scenes!