Recognising Kiwi search and rescue excellence

The exceptional skill, teamwork and dedication of Kiwi search and rescuers have been on full display at the New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Awards, Associate Transport Minister James Meager says.

Mr Meager hosted the annual event at Parliament this evening, created to shine a light on the courage, skill, and commitment shown by those who keep us safe.

Three Gold Awards and seven Certificates of Achievement were presented to teams and individuals, acknowledging courageous work in 2025 or significant contributions to search and rescue over many years. 

“Each of these awards tells a story of the extraordinary lengths and efforts people have gone to, to help those in their time of need. I believe they celebrate the very best of New Zealand: our people, culture, values and connection to the outdoors,” Mr Meager says.

“Our country has one of the largest and most challenging global search and rescue regions. It covers more than 30 million square kilometres, which is one twelfth of the Earth’s surface. This makes the sector’s work even more dangerous and treacherous.”

The Operational Gold Award was presented to the team involved in Operation Artigau, the search for Argentine tourist Hector Gaston Artigau who went missing in Mt Aspiring National Park last year. Despite significant efforts, he has never been found.

“This was an intensive and dangerous operation involving five organisations and 40 Wānaka search and rescue volunteers who, over 20 days, contributed 823 hours of their own time. Two search and rescue dogs and their handlers were also brought in to help. It was a huge collaborative effort.” Mr Meager says.

Support category Gold Awards were presented to Keith Allen for more than 40 years of service to search and rescue through NZ Police and Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre, and to Carolyn Tapley for her 12-year contribution to Coastguard Canterbury and Coastguard Tautiaki Moana, including the rebuild of a new $2.6 million Search and Rescue Centre in Lyttelton following the Canterbury earthquakes.

“I congratulate all the Award winners for this well-deserved recognition of their outstanding effort and thank them for their service, professionalism, passion and unwavering selfless commitment to helping others,” Mr Meager says. ...