About Land Search and Rescue
Land Search and Rescue is a national volunteer organisation which provides search and rescue assistance to the lost, missing and injured across New Zealand.
Our volunteers operate in suburban, urban, alpine, wilderness, and rural areas, including regional and forest parks, shorelines, and caves. Our professionally trained volunteers offer their specialist search and rescue skills free to the public, every hour, every day, via the New Zealand Police and the Rescue Coordination
We have Over 3,300 trained search and rescue volunteers across 70 local groups and specialist disciplines nationwide.
National Level and Specialist Disciplines:
- Land Search and Rescue Search Dogs
- Cave Search and Rescue
- Canyon Search and Rescue
- Swift Water/ River Search and Rescue
- Alpine Cliff Rescue
- Communications and I.T
- WanderWell
Land Search and Rescue is overseen by the Land Search and Rescue Board, which serves as the organisation’s governance body. The Board is made up of independent and elected Directors.
The Board appoints the Chief Executive, who is responsible for delivering an annual management plan to support the organisation’s strategic direction. The Chief Executive is supported by a small team of salaried National Support Staff.
From July 2024 to June 2025, Land Search and Rescue volunteers undertook 526 search and rescue operations, saving 40 lives, rescuing 159 people, and assisting a further 219 individuals. This vital work was supported by 22,727 operational hours and an incredible 115,087 hours of training.
Land Search and Rescue Vision statement:
Ngā Moemoeā Rapa Taiwhenua
We are Land Search and Rescue – everywhere for everyone.
Land Search and Rescue Mission:
Ngā whakatakanga Rapa Taiwhenua
Providing land search and rescue assistance to the lost, missing, injured and their communities.
Land Search and Rescue Purpose statement:
Ngā aronga Rapa Tai Whenua
Land Search and Rescue’s primary purposes are to:
1. Provide effective and efficient land search and rescue capability throughout Aotearoa New Zealand in collaboration with the New Zealand Police, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, and other agencies as required, consistent with New Zealand Land Search and Rescue Inc. approved standards.
2. Further the safety and education of the public of Aotearoa New Zealand in matters related to search and rescue.
3. Provide education, training and assessment in land-based search and rescue and emergency management.
Our Board
The Board comprises of elected directors chosen by the Land Search and Rescue membership and appointed directors…
Our National Support Staff
A team spread across the country to support Land Search and Rescue groups in providing Search and Rescue assistance for the lost, missing and injured…
Bi-annual Conference
Our bi-annual members conference has a fantastic schedule of talks and events.
Safer Walking
This Framework has been formed over the past decade in response to people with cognitive impairments who go missing while out walking with potentially very poor outcomes.
The Search Process
A frantic mother phones the Police; her four year old twins have found a hole in the garden fence and disappeared into the surrounding bush…