Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue

30/06/2026

Quiz time 🗺️

You are walking on the Oaonui Track at the bridge shown. You are planning to walk to Waiaua Gorge Hut following the stream beds. What is the height difference for this walk?

A - 70m down 50m up.

B - 70m up 50m down.

C - 120m down.

D - 120m up.

E - 170m up 130m down.

~ Quiz provided by Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand.

14/06/2026

3,000 volunteers across 68 groups. Land Search and Rescue New Zealand is an organisation of dedicated individuals who give their time to help the lost, missing and injured. This national volunteer week we want to acknowledge everyone across Aotearoa who serve their community.

Volunteering New Zealand

13/06/2026

Post from Carl Knight an OTNZ instructor and SAR volunteer.

What trip is too short to carry a PLB (beacon)?..is like asking what trip in the car is too short to wear a seatbelt. I hope we're well passed asking that question by now!
tldr; Stop prioritising MERE inconvenience over potential life and death!
I met someone recently at a hut. They had a problem that could rapidly escalate. (Not the person with the boot issues I have written about previously - they had a beacon) Their rate of travel was impeded by the issue they faced and there was a non-zero chance they might have to shelter in place if everything went pear shaped.
They had decided because their trip was easy, but still some 10km, they need not carry their PLB.
They had a phone. Their route was devoid of cell phone coverage. Their phone can satellite text. Also great if that isn't so affected by weather (think Sky rain fade) it does not work.
The weather forecast was rain increasing with warnings of thundery downpours and potential sudden flooding of rivers and streams later in the day.
My own party had set a priority to move and get well clear of rivers and streams before the anticipated rain bomb arrived.
See here https://www.facebook.com/carl.knight.5682/posts/pfbid02nKbZzbyqrzeWzTM3UUVGEX4n8m1r5FyWgwoXodf3s9KRFQq9sUtTWQG1HdjGtYqsl for real world examples of WHY having just a phone is the "none" of "two is one and one is none."
If you are in low visibility bush, no signal, satellite texting not working because of the tree canopy or weather, curled up in the foetal position, injured, immobile and hypothermic on the forest floor such that we have to damn near stand on you to see you, the fact you are only 300m from the road end does not stop the wilderness from adding you to their collection.
If you find yourself asking, "Carry the PLB or not?" The only answer is CARRY THE PLB. The one sure way to not have a working beacon in an emergency is to not carry the beacon.
So remember:
• Carry a beacon.
• Keep the beacon on you the person (not in/on a pack or item you take on/off).
• By all means try your phone first in an emergency. Dial 111 (Note, text/Satellite text 111 requires your phone is registered with the New Zealand Police to be able to do so).
• If that does not work, activate the beacon. The frequencies used by PLBs are much less affected by weather or tree canopy. Personally, I’d do both.
• Beyond seeking immediate shelter, stay where you are and await rescue - yes, you can totally make things worse by moving constantly when searchers are coming to your location.

11/06/2026

19/05/2026

We’re incredibly proud to share that Land Search and Rescue has received the Community Engagement Award at the 2026 Global Search and Rescue Excellence Awards in London.

This international recognition celebrates the dedication of our volunteers and staff who work tirelessly alongside communities across Aotearoa New Zealand to help keep people safe before a search even begins.

Over the past year alone, our volunteers contributed more than 15,000 hours supporting education, preparedness, youth engagement, and community safety initiatives nationwide.

From helping young people build confidence through programmes like Stars and Clued Up Kids, to supporting vulnerable people and their whānau through and WanderSearch, our volunteers continue to make a difference far beyond operational responses.

This award also recognises the important work of Rapa Taiwhenua Land Search and Rescue in strengthening relationships with Māori communities and building cultural understanding across our organisation.

Trained volunteers bringing people home across Aotearoa.

To every volunteer, supporter, partner, and community member, thank you. This recognition belongs to all of you. 🧡

10/03/2026

Last weekend members from our group spent the weekend attending the Waikato SAREX in Pirongia; training alongside Police and other Land Search and Rescue volunteers from the Waikato region.

Saturday’s workshops and exercises were a great opportunity to build knowledge and share experiences while Sunday’s scenario brought everything together; teams working through a realistic urban search situation.

It was a busy weekend, so this was the only photo I managed to get - a glimpse into some of the technology we’re learning to use, including night vision and thermal equipment that helps search teams operate safely and effectively at dusk, dawn and after dark.

07/03/2026

Happy international woman’s day to all our amazing woman who volunteer with us 🔶🔶🔶

05/03/2026

Last weekend members from our team took part in the Helicopter Foundations course, delivered by one of the expert tutors from Land Search and Rescue New Zealand.
We’re volunteers, but we train to a national standard so when our community needs us, we’re ready.