Lifesaving Funding Boosts For Kiwis' Outdoor Safety
Associate Transport Minister James Meager has confirmed an additional $76.7 million for New Zealand Search and Rescue over three years, to ensure 12 organisations can continue their lifesaving operations.
Additionally, the Government has announced an investment of $624,000 over the same period, to help maintain and improve recreational aviation safety across the country.
'New Zealand has one of the largest and most challenging search and rescue regions in the world, so it's vital to ensure they have necessary funding to deliver their critical services,' Mr Meager says.
"Ensuring Kiwis are safe as they go about their activities, either for work or leisure, is one of the Government's top transport priorities.
'Last year, 152 lives were saved, 921 people were assisted and 794 people were rescued through the work of the search and rescue sector. This is thanks to the dedication of than 11,000 people involved in the industry – 80 per cent of whom are volunteers.'
$542,000 will go towards the New Zealand Aviation Federation to deliver updated Instrument Flight Procedures at unattended aerodromes, which pilots use to safely take off and land at airports across the country.
An $82,000 funding boost will also enhance safety at those sites, paying for further training and education to remind pilots of the necessary safety procedures.
'The investment also underlines the Government's commitment to helping grow our economy by supporting a safe and secure recreational aviation system,' Mr Meager says.
'Many Kiwis and visitors love to get out and explore our beautiful country. Today's announcements will help keep everyone safe when they're outdoors – whether that's on the land, water or in the air.'
Notes:
The Government's investment into the search and rescue sector is determined by a review of the funding, which the Ministry of Transport carries out every three years. Funding was last reviewed in 2022.
In addition to the previous funding approved under Section 9(1) of the Land Transport Management Act 2003, the new three years funding package includes:
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) will receive $3.2 million to support the organisation's operations.
Land Safety Forum will receive $1.1 million for its work to improve collaboration between 15 government agencies and volunteer organisations working across the search and rescue sector.
Marlborough-Nelson Marine Radio Association will receive $279,000 to continue to operate its Very High Frequency (VHF) channels that ensures the safety of recreational boat users in the Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough regions. The funding will be used for operator channel costs, maintenance and upgrades of its Marine VHF repeater sites.
NZ Police will receive $795,000 to support the continued employment of 11 District Search and Rescue Assistant Coordinators.
NZ Search and Rescue Council (and Secretariat) will receive $1.4 million to implement its Strategic Plan.
Coastguard NZ will receive $11.3 million to continue to deliver search and rescue activities, including funding for training, and information and business improvement.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) will receive $189,000 to cover its baseline SAR activities.
Maritime NZ will receive $17.2 million, which will cover costs incurred by operators for rescues performed, its search and rescue (SAR) coordination role, and recreational craft safety activities.
Mountain Safety Council will receive $1.3 million, which will ensure it can continue to deliver the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA).
Surf Life Saving New Zealand will receive $8.3 million, which will fund training, volunteer support, and the organisations SAR operations.
Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) will receive $30.1 million, which will support the organisations SAR activities and operations and ensure its volunteers meet personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
Youth Search and Rescue (YSAR) will receive total funding of $1.56 million to support the organisations activities.
Recreational flying
Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) are instructions pilots use to navigate around aerodromes and are integral to safely take off and land at aerodromes and airports without an air traffic control tower.
The NZAF received funding to deliver IFPs at uncontrolled airports in 2022, however IFPs need five yearly maintenance and this funding ensures that the IFPs remain valid into the future.
The funding amount available is limited to the amount of fuel excise duty collected from users of aircraft in recreational aviation.
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