Oxford Land Search & Rescue

10/04/2026

***🧡WE WILL BE AT THE OXFORD A&P SHOW TOMORROW🧡***
Come and meet some of the team, have a chat and ask questions
Meet our search dog team Ron and Skyla, who will be joining us 🦮
Win some awesome prizes in our raffle: an exact replica of Skyla our search dog and a jetboil cooker just to name a couple
See you tomorrow

08/04/2026

The new Ashley Skyline track!
What fantastic addition to the local walking tracks.... the views over Oxford and all the way to the Port Hills are worth the effort
We thought we'd share a review for many people wanting to try it out
*the whole loop from the carpark is nearly 8km long and has 600m of climbing
*walk clockwise, starting from the loop track
*please take note of the signs, this really is an unformed track and very different to the loop and waterfall tracks. Very steep in places and needs both hands to hold on.
*take the appropriate gear, as for any other hikes: plenty of water, food, first aid kit and warm clothing. It gets cold very quickly when stopping even for a short amount of time.
*start early, give yourself plenty of time with the shorter days.
*take a PLB, there is very little phone reception.
*wear appropriate footwear, boots are most suitable for the terrain.

Have fun on the trails 👍

03/04/2026

We will be at the Oxford A&P show next Saturday!! Come say Hello to the team, ask many questions, buy a raffle ticket for one of our awesome prizes and meet our team's own seach dog 🦮

Look forward to seeing you there 🥳🥳

25/03/2026

The Oxford SAR team's most recent training exercise simulated a rescue scenario of three missing teenage mountain bikers overdue from an afternoon outing. A full Incident Management Team (IMT) was established to manage planning, operations, and communications, supporting multiple search teams deployed across the area.
Teams utilised both day and night search techniques, adapting to changing conditions while maintaining coordination and safety.
The bikers were located in separate scenarios, requiring immediate injury assessment, treatment, and evacuation planning. One scenario also involved managing a deceased subject, allowing teams to practise correct procedures including radio communication, scene preservation and coordination with police and IMT
The group had another fantastic turnout for this training with fantastic opportunity for learning for new and seasoned members alike!

09/02/2026

Last Saturday the Oxford Group met for our annual river safety training and for the first time to also practice in our brand new flood safety gear! We will have more training provided with this soon so watch this space..
The river training included plenty of solo and team river crossings in varying depths, throw bag techniques, as well as being washed away with all our gear and self rescue in a controlled and safe environment
This was followed by a team and family BBQ where we officially celebrated some long standing members, newly operational as well as new probationary team members. Congratulations to all!

30/09/2025

Lessons from a Recent Search at Mt Thomas

A recent incident in Mt Thomas required police and Search and Reascue involvement after a family group became separated during a hiking trip. Fortunately, everyone was found safe, but the search highlighted several important lessons for anyone heading into the outdoors, with summer on the way.
* set clear intentions within the group. Stay together if possible. If splitting up, agree on exact meeting points
* leave your trip intentions and return day/time with a trusted contact.
* always carry more than one method of communication, mobile phones often don't work, batteries run out. Carry a PLB or Satellite Communicator (InReach etc)
* if you do need help and are able to so, communicate directly with police by calling 111

By preparing and following these simple steps everyone can reduce risk, prevent confusion and if needed, speed up a rescue.

💥

25/08/2025

This month's team training was focused around stretcher rope management taking place at the Waimak Gorge. The evening consisted of 2 parts: familiarizing ourselves with the knots, anchors and stretcher setup needed within small group setting allowing lots of practice. Then 2 scenarios where groups utilized the skills learned to use stretcher and rope rigging to bring a patient back to base while keeping ourselves safe
Another fantastic turnout of members just before the southerly storm hit

10/08/2025

These 4 wonderful members Bill Dowle, Prue Fairbrass, Ron Ealam & Jeremy Ealam last week became Oxford Land Search & Rescue’s first Life Members. With over 150+ years of SAR involvement between them, I’m not sure what can be said except. Thank you all so much for your service to the group & the community.

14/07/2025

Well done to our Oxford members who assisted in this call out, good outcome for all 🥰

Canterbury Police would like to acknowledge and thank the Oxford and Christchurch LandSAR teams and Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue for their efforts in assisting a 17-year-old woman who was injured on the Ryde Falls track last night 🚁🦺

LandSAR teams were deployed to locate the woman, provide first aid, and move her to a suitable location for pick up. She was then safely winched out by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and transported to hospital.

We appreciate the swift and professional response of everyone involved.

Police are proud of the dedication and care provided by our LandSAR volunteers and would like to thank them for the help they give both Police and our communities.

20/06/2025

Land Search & Rescue volunteer responders show up when it matters most – in the dark, in the cold, in the unknown.

Help us keep going. Donate today to support the gear, training, and time it takes to be ready, anytime.

www.landsar.org.nz/donate-to-land-search-and-rescue/

02/06/2025

Our very own Ron Ealam has received the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Land Search & Rescue over the last 50 years. We are grateful to have someone with such knowledge & experience in our group. Congratulations Ron.
Below is a link to his interview with Paddy Gower today.

Ron Ealam, from Oxford in Canterbury has received the New Zealand Order of Merit for his work with Land Search and Rescue, for more than 50 years! And for half of that he's been working with rescue dogs - developing the official search dogs training programme and he's become a national trainer and a...