NEED TO REPORT SOMEONE LOST OR MISSING? CALL 111 AND ASK FOR POLICE
A tramping trip in the Tararua Ranges took an unexpected turn when I slipped on a muddy track and landed hard on a tree root—breaking my arm in the process. Just when I wondered how I’d make it out, I spotted hi-viz vests through the trees. By sheer luck, a Land Search and Rescue team was on a training exercise nearby. Within minutes, they had splinted my arm, carried my pack, and guided me safely back to the road end. This experience was a powerful reminder of the incredible volunteers who keep trampers safe.