Westport Land Search & Rescue

19/04/2026

A few pictures from our recent First Aid Refresher held last weekend in Westport. Was great to have attendees from Karamea, Reefton and Nelson groups as well as Westport, with good scenario-based training testing us throughout the day.

31/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1cWN3z5rfs/

25/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FyQ8DhP66/

Are you, or someone you know, concerned about the risk of getting lost or going missing when out and about in the community?
✏️Completing a Safer Walking Profile form can help ensure important information is ready and accessible — just in case it’s ever needed. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in an emergency.
📌Learn more here: https://saferwalking.nz/safer-walking-profile/

01/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17MWZu4sWg/

Tasman Police have received a report of an overdue tramper in the Baton Valley / Ellis River / Twins area of the Kahurangi National Park.

The 66-year-old man was due to return home on 30 December but has not done so.

The man is around 177cm tall, approximately 100kg.

To help our search teams, we would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Baton Valley / Ellis River area since the afternoon of 26 December.

Search and Rescue would appreciate also hearing from anyone who has been around or stayed at the Flanagan’s Hut – and who may have seen a man matching this description.

If you can help, please contact Police via 105, either online or by phone, and quote event number P064981672.

29/11/2025

A warm thank you to the lovely Westport residents who helped our teams in our suburban training exercise yesterday. The two “missing people” were located in the allotted time. Jude was one of our well known locals who helped out as a missing person. She said she’s had never been so sought after! Thank you to all the people we spoke to for contributing to the training exercise. Thanks also goes to Greymouth Land Search and Rescue and Murchison LandSAR teams for joining in and sending teams to take part. Land Search & Rescue New Zealand

26/11/2025

URBAN SEARCH EXERCISE ON SATURDAY
Westport Land Search and Rescue will be running a training exercise in Westport on Saturday.
Westport teams, along with teams from Murchison and Greymouth, will be in town looking for two people who will be acting as our missing people for the search.
You might see a few orange vests around town and searchers tracking a Wandertrack device, along with one or two people either actively or passively being lost (and on their own missions while "lost").
You might also be approached by search teams to find out if you have seen the "missing people".
We'd appreciate if you could pass on any relevant information as if it were a real search.
The teams will be actively searching from about 10.15am up to 2pm. The "missing people" might be active in Palmerston Street and surrounds a bit earlier. (photo for attention).

31/10/2025

Westport LandSAR were recently invited to an early viewing of the Watsons Sawmill Track (under construction). What great work by the locals here and other volunteers including the Student Volunteer Army! Also a good test of our stretcher capabilities on what will be a great community asset once it's completed.

The southern half of the popular Charming Creek Walkway, has been closed by multiple slips since 2019 but the local community has plans to help restore it.

07/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/61563003460921/posts/122170967786433448/

🧭 Worried about someone getting lost or going missing while out and about?🧍‍♀️

The Safer Walking Profile Form is a helpful tool that makes sure important information is ready to go just in case it's ever needed.

Whether it's for yourself, a whānau member, or someone you support—this form can make a real difference.

✅ Learn more and fill out the form here: https://saferwalking.nz/safer-walking-profile-form/.

Let’s work together to make Aotearoa safer for everyone.

18/09/2025

Last weekend a team of four from Westport Land Search & Rescue members took part in the inaugural Tawhai Trophy - a new Tasman-wide competition. Sam, Jason, James and Emma tested their search and rescue skills in some (occasionally) atrocious weather. The challenge included some less orthodox teamwork, requiring Jason to carry James and Emma across a 'river of lava'. Lots of fun and learning. Congratulations to the Nelson team who narrowly beat Marlborough to the top spot in the competition by half a point.

31/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JiAnpf2Xm/

Every now and then we are fortunate enough to witness things that history will show to be a generational achievement. The photograph below captures one such moment from Chamonix (France), yesterday.

Not only is winning the pinnacle of world ultrarunning events easily one of New Zealand's great sporting achievements, the fact that this completes a first-ever sweep of the three main UTMB race formats by a woman makes this extra remarkable. And for anyone that knows this incredible athlete, it's likely that they'll be more struck by the humble, kind, awesome human she is, rather than her athletic prowess. That in our eyes, makes her something beyond special.

Ruth Croft's winning of the 2025 UTMB Mont-Blanc is a moment of deep pride and inspiration for so many. From all of New Zealand and those of us here on the West Coast of the South Island, we acknowledge all of the sacrifices you have made Ruth Croft that have culminated in this moment, and congratulate you.

Photo credit: (repurposed from the New Zealand Herald)

03/08/2025

CALLOUT: Teams from Westport, together with teams across the West Coast and wider area, have been assisting with the search for missing 75-year Runanaga man Roy Arbon over the last week. Sadly he has not been found yet.