Search and rescue operations (SAROPs) within New Zealand’s search and rescue region are coordinated either by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) or the New Zealand Police.

RCCNZ’s search and rescue role

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is responsible for coordinating:

all major maritime and aviation search and rescue SAROPs within New Zealand’s search and rescue region
land-based missions arising from someone activating a distress beacon.

All these RCCNZ-coordinated SAROPs are termed Category II SAROPs, which are initiated because an aircraft, vessel or person is believed to be in distress. These SAROPs often require the coordination of national and international civil and military resources.

Police’ search and rescue role

The New Zealand Police co-ordinate Category I search and rescue incidents. Category I searches are where the Police do not require any additional assistance.

Category I SAROPs include:

land-based search and rescue incidents which do not arise from a distress beacon being activated close to shore
marine search and rescue SAROPs within 12 miles of the shore.

The RCCNZ sometimes provides support and advice to the New Zealand Police during Category I SAROPs, however, the New Zealand Police remain responsible for Category I operations

Category I search and rescue SAROPs [New Zealand Police]

How RCCNZ responds to an incident

A RCCNZ search and rescue response may start with a telephone call, a radio message, a distress beacon alert, an email or a request from the New Zealand Police.

As the information comes in, the search and rescue officers at RCCNZ will gather and sort the information, analyse the incident and then plan the response.

The search and rescue officers determine the area to be searched and then plan the search strategy. If necessary they will consult with specialist aviation, defence force, marine, Police and land search and rescue advisors. They will then task the aircraft, helicopters, ships, Coastguard or other groups and agencies to carry out the plan.

With the search and rescue underway, RCCNZ’s search and rescue officers:

monitor the progress
update the plans as new information comes to hand and manage all the activities to get the best possible result.

A search and rescue incident ends only when all the people in distress have been accounted for and all the searchers have also returned safely.