Search & Rescue squads go beyond the red and yellow flags

Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s (SLSNZ) search and rescue (SAR) call-out squads have responded to multiple incidents at waterways across the country this week.

Over the past week, SAR squads have been activated seven times following taskings by Police, responding quickly to assist those in need. This includes an ongoing river search at the Manawatū River, and searches at Waiwera and Karekare in Auckland.

Police were called on Tuesday 24 February when a man went missing in the Manawatū River, and the Manawatū-Tararua SAR squad was tasked to support the search the following morning. They responded initially with one IRB (inflatable rescue boat) and four SAR personnel however efforts to locate the person were unsuccessful. The following day, the search resumed with support from the Whanganui SAR squad, with four IRBs and 12 SAR personnel. On Monday, 2 March, they were again tasked to join ongoing search efforts.

In the Wellington region on Saturday 28 February, the Tītahi Bay SAR squad responded to reports of three people in distress off the northern end of Mana Island. They launched an IRB and were able to confirm on arrival that the group was safe and well.

On the morning of Sunday 1 March, SAR squads in Auckland were activated to participate in two separate searches. The Orewa SAR squad was activated to participate in the search for a missing kayaker on the east coast on the Waiwera river, and the Piha Area SAR Squad was activated to participate in a search after a person was swept off rocks at Farley Point, near Karekare Beach in west Auckland. Sadly, at Waiwera, the body of the missing man was located. At Karekare, the search for a missing fisherman has so far been unsuccessful.

SAR squads are typically activated for incidents outside regular patrol hours or at unpatrolled beaches. SLSNZ’s 40 trained SAR squads are regularly called upon to assist people in difficulty in the water or to support other emergency services during critical incidents along our coastlines and during severe weather.

SLSNZ General Manager Lifesaving Andy Kent says, “Our SAR squads are highly skilled, ready to respond, and they go above and beyond regular lifeguarding duties. They often take time away from their lives, work and families in service of their communities. We’re proud of all their hard mahi, especially as a volunteer service.”

Other surf lifesaving activity across the week included 937 preventative actions carried out by surf lifeguards nationwide. SAR lifeguards were also alerted following a report from Police Maritime, with the Muriwai Search and Rescue Squad activated and confirming on arrival that the person had successfully self-rescued.

Aggregated patrol statistics: 23 February – 1 March

About SLSNZ Search & Rescue

While most New Zealanders know us for beach patrols, our SAR role goes beyond the between the red and yellow flags. Our mission in SAR is simple: Locate, assist, and retrieve people who are missing, distressed, or injured in and around our waters.

We are part of the nationally coordinated SAR system led by the NZSAR Council, with operations coordinated by NZ Police (Category 1) and the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) (Category 2).

SLSNZ delivers trained, trusted, and timely Surf SAR responses that save lives and support communities.

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