SAR leaders come together to shape the future

Search and Rescue (SAR) leaders from across Aotearoa gathered earlier this month for the 2026 SLSNZ SAR Leaders Forum, continuing the work that began with the launch of Surf Life Saving New Zealand's national SAR Framework last year. 

The forum brought together SAR Squad Leaders, National SAR Committee members, SLSNZ staff, coordinating authorities, sector partners including NEMA and FENZ and Australian lifesaving representatives for a weekend focused on collaboration, capability and continuous improvement. 

Held at Wero Whitewater Park on 6 and 7 June, the forum also provided practical experience, with participants observing new equipment and PPE in the water. A key highlight was the showcase of regional equipment caches and flood response gear, demonstrating the capability and tools that will underpin severe weather and swift water response. This hands-on session reinforced the importance of readiness, familiarisation, and consistency across regions. 

National support, local execution 

Over the past eight months, Surf Life Saving's SAR Framework has helped create greater consistency and alignment across the organisation, while maintaining the local knowledge and flexibility that remain central to successful operations.  

This leader’s forum focused on turning that strategic direction into practical delivery. Participants shared progress across SAR Framework workstreams, explored future capability and accreditation pathways, and provided feedback on key operational guides and processes. 

A major focus was the draft SAR Capability Guide, including discussions around capability expectations, accreditation, equipment standards and the support required to help squads operate safely and effectively. The forum provided an opportunity for Squad Leaders to contribute directly to the development of these resources before they are finalised. 

The discussions reflected the growing maturity of Surf Life Saving's SAR capability and the increasingly important role surf lifeguards play within New Zealand's wider search and rescue system. Across the country, SAR squads continue to support Police, RCCNZ and other agencies during searches, rescues and emergency incidents, while also participating in large-scale training exercises designed to strengthen readiness and inter-agency coordination.  

Participants highlighted the value of spending time with other SAR leaders from around the country, sharing experiences and learning from one another.  

Andy Kent, SLSNZ’s GM Lifesaving, says he’s proud of how far the wider team has come. “This forum highlighted the impressive collaboration we’ve developed between our squads and sector partners.  

“The investment made in SLSNZ by NZ SAR has really shown its value. We’ve gone from strength to strength over the past two years and have shown how seriously we take SAR and that we’re an agency that can be relied on.” 

David Bentley, Chair of the National SAR Committee, says the forum was an important step in strengthening alignment across the sector. 

“A key part of this forum is grounding ourselves in what drives us — will this make it safer and easier for our volunteers? 

The Capability Guide is a big part of that. It will bring together training, equipment and operational expectations so we can deliver a consistent, high-quality response, while still supporting the flexibility our local squads need.” 

As work continues on the next phase of implementation, feedback from the forum will help shape the tools, guidance and support that will underpin Surf Life Saving's SAR capability for years to come.