Land SAR Northland

11/09/2026

We were joined by brown-watch from Whangarei Fire and Emergency NZ for our rope rescue training last night.

It was great to see some of the tools they expect to use in the vertical environment and to get familiar with the different types of equipment each team has.

While FENZ crews are often 'faster' than us - having more locations and some even being paid - as a volunteer team, we have advanced skills and equipment that can be combined in the interest of the mission.

We also had a familiarisation session with our resident drone pilot on using small drones in rope rescue missions.

29/08/2026

Been a busy 36hrs with the team mobilising to two separate jobs. In both cases we were stood down due to the situations being resolved.

Both of these were in the Far North Search and Rescue area who we were providing back-up for or covering as they were already tasked. A busy weekend for our Northern whānau.

Thank you to our members who have been so responsive to these activations.

08/08/2026

Please share around and get in touch with police if you know anything.

07/07/2026

Two operations in the last week.

16 members responded to a report of a missing elderly female in the Maungakaramea area last Wednesday evening. Locals, aware of the incident (via social media), found the lost person on their property. Good work, and you can see why the message to 'check your property', often goes out.

Members have also been supporting Northland Police with the on-going search in Dargaville (pictured).

31/05/2026

We are part of the wider network of Land Search & Rescue New Zealand. 93 years of bringing people home.

25/05/2026

🔸️Lost child found🔸️

Land SAR Northland was pleased to be able support Northland Police in locating a lost child in the Maungaturoto area on Sunday evening.

Volunteers deployed directly to the scene and commenced a 'hasty' search while others deployed our mobile search base.
The hasty team found 'sign' in a nearby waterway and soon after located the missing person.

The person was reunited with family and given a medical check by one of the doctor volunteers in our team allowing them to be discharged straight home.

This event included one of our new volunteers getting their first 'find' 😁

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24/04/2026

EXERCISE! 😆

21/04/2026

Always happy to help!

A group’s fishing trip ended in the cold and dark, but fortunately a rescue effort meant it wasn’t a tragedy.

Four people had set out to fish off the rocks at Piapia Bay in the Far North on Monday.

Detective Sergeant Paul Overton, Northland Police Search and Rescue lead, says after finishing their outing, the group headed back to the main road via an alternative route in the afternoon.

“Unfortunately, the group have got lost and stranded on a cliff edge near Wainui Bay; the sun had set, and darkness had set in.
“It was a dark and wet, and unable to see they feared they may not get off the cliff safely.”

A 111 call was made.

Northland’s on-call Police Search and Rescue coordinator was advised, and a response plan was put in motion.

“The group were advised via our emergency call takers to stay put until help arrived,” Detective Sergeant Overton says.

Far North Land Search and Rescue were deployed to the scene to make an assessment, with the Land Search and Rescue ropes team in Whangārei also heading north.

Frontline Police units were first in the area, with officers making contact with the group and ensuring they were in good spirits.

Far North Land Search and Rescue volunteers arrived a short time later.

“Safety lines and torches were used to help guide the group down from the cliff, and they all returned to the main road,” Detective Sergeant Overton says.

“With the good news relayed, the Whangārei ropes team were stood down and returned south.”

Monday’s rescue is a reminder to anyone heading out into the elements to ensure you are prepared.

“Winter is getting closer, the temperatures are cooling and it’s getting darker earlier.

“It’s important to pay attention to weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

“Be prepared with warm clothing, torches and more than one method of communication if something goes wrong,” Detective Sergeant Overton says.

Always tell someone your plans and your expected return time.

16/04/2026

Hey, that's us!

The team love these big exercises, there is always some 'curly' scenario thrown in, great relationships formed with SAR partners and valuable learning.

A large contingent of our team will be giving up their weekends to be ready for the real one. Thanks team!

Bay of Islands locals, please be advised a search and rescue training exercise will be taking place this weekend.

Northland Police Search and Rescue are running the exercise, which begins on Friday until Sunday.

The joint-agency training exercise will bring together a range of organisations that play a vital role in saving lives throughout the year.

Detective Sergeant Paul Overton, SAR Officer in charge, says the agencies taking part include Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard, AREC, Surf Life Saving, RedCross, and the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand.

“These exercises play a key role in ensuring our capabilities and enhancing how we work together as a cohesive team when it really counts,” he says.

“Having the opportunity to train together and hone our skills is essential to ensuring we work effectively and safely when responding to real emergencies.”

If you see Search and Rescue personnel operating in the area over the weekend, please don’t be alarmed — this is part of a planned training exercise.