Latest news with #LandSearchandRescue
1News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- 1News
Tramper and dog rescued from Wellington's Tararua Ranges
A near-hypothermic tramper who was winched to safety alongside his dog says he is "really grateful" to have been rescued from freezing conditions in the ranges north of Wellington yesterday morning. The rescue in the Tararua Ranges took place in pre-dawn darkness early on Tuesday, with a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) helicopter crew negotiating low cloud and steep terrain. Wellington man David Graham, an experienced tramper, and his Kelpie, Winnie, were on the second night of a tramp heading towards the Mid-King Bivvy on Monday night when the weather closed in and they could not find the hut. Unable to find the shelter, he and Winnie settled under a large rock. But by 9pm the cloud lifted, bringing dew down and freezing his sleeping bag. In 0.5C temperatures with rain setting in, Graham called emergency services and set off his personal locator beacon to alert authorities to his whereabouts. ADVERTISEMENT The crew winched a near-hypothermic tramper and his dog to safety from freezing conditions in the Tararua Ranges north of Wellington. (Source: Supplied) While it was initially decided a Land Search and Rescue crew would walk in the following day, by 2am a shivering Graham contacted police again. An NH90 helicopter from RNZAF Base Ohakea left for the Tararua Ranges at 4am, reaching him 30 minutes later. "As soon as I got in the chopper I was given the best hot chocolate I've ever had in my life. They gave me a Crunchie bar and put a heated pack down my front." No.3 Squadron NH90 pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Stewart, said Graham had done the right thing by taking a personal locator beacon with him which meant they were able to fly almost directly to him. The terrain was steep with bluffs directly below Graham, so it was a potentially dangerous situation for him to have lost his bearings. The cloud was thick and low, sitting on the eastern side of the ranges, Stewart said. David Graham being winched to safety. (Source: NZDF) ADVERTISEMENT After landing at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome, he was assessed by medics who found early symptoms of hypothermia had begun to affect his feet. Graham said he was was "pretty happy" to be flown to safety, and would be able to see his wife and one-year-old baby. "I'm just really grateful. And I hope the medic keeps tight hold of whatever recipe he has for that hot chocolate."
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
RNZAF Helicopter Crew Rescues Tararua Tramper And His Dog
A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) helicopter crew has winched a near-hypothermic tramper and his dog to safety from freezing conditions in the Tararua Ranges north of Wellington. The rescue took place in pre-dawn darkness early on Tuesday, with the crew negotiating low cloud and steep terrain. Wellington man David Graham, an experienced tramper, and his Kelpie, Winnie, were on the second night of a tramp heading towards the Mid-King Bivvy, when the weather closed in with thick cloud reducing visibility to less than 20 metres. 'I've been told since then that it's a notoriously difficult hut to find because the track had overgrown,' Mr Graham said. Unable to find the shelter on Monday night, he and Winnie settled under a large rock, which had icicles hanging off it that would provide water if needed. However, by 9pm the cloud lifted, bringing dew down and freezing his sleeping bag. Mr Graham called emergency services and set off his personal locator beacon. It was initially decided a Land Search and Rescue team would walk in the next day, but at 2am, a shivering Mr Graham, concerned about his health should rain set in, contacted NZ Police again. An NH90 helicopter from RNZAF Base Ohakea left for the Tararua Ranges by 4am. 'The next thing I heard, it was about was about 4.30am, the chopper coming through. They took Winnie up first, which was lovely. They were very thoughtful and brought a specific bag for the dog. 'As soon as I got in the chopper I was given the best hot chocolate I've ever had in my life. They gave me a Crunchie bar and put a heated pack down my front.' After landing at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome, Mr Graham was assessed by medics who found early symptoms of hypothermia had begun to affect his feet. It was an emotional journey out of the ranges and Mr Graham was 'pretty happy' to be flown to safety. He said he was looking forward to seeing his wife and their one-year-old baby. No.3 Squadron NH90 pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Stewart, said Mr Graham had done the right thing by taking a personal locator beacon with him which meant they were able to fly almost directly to him. 'When we arrived he shone his torch so we could see him easily.' The terrain was steep with bluffs directly below Mr Graham, so it was a potentially dangerous situation for him to have lost his bearings. The cloud was thick and low, sitting on the eastern side of the ranges, Squadron Leader Stewart said. 'The temperature was pretty much on freezing – it was 0.5degC when we were up there where he was.' Mr Graham wanted to pass his thanks to the NH90 crew and Police who helped him in the early hours of the day. 'I was pretty tired, but I really appreciated all the expertise from everyone. I can't imagine all the complexities of pulling together something like that at 4am. 'I'm just really grateful. And I hope the medic keeps tight hold of whatever recipe he has for that hot chocolate.' The rescue was medic Corporal Sam Wardhaugh's first time winching in a search and rescue mission since gaining his qualification a week earlier.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Search and rescue operations get $76m funding boost
Associate Transport Minister James Meager announced the funding boost in Dunedin this morning. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd A dozen search and rescue organisations will share in more than $76 million in government funding to equip volunteers, train specialist staff and maintain infrastructure. The money would be split among 12 organisations - including $30m for personal protective equipment for Land Search and Rescue volunteers, $17m for Maritime New Zealand and $11m for Coastguard New Zealand. Surf Life Saving New Zealand would receive $8m, while $3m was set aside for Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. Associate Transport Minister James Meager said New Zealand was one of the most challenging places for search and rescue operations in the world. "Whether it's the 50m square kilometres of maritime space that we are responsible for searching and rescuing people from - which is about a 12th of the world's surface - or whether it's our alpine areas, our caves, our dense bush, our urban search and rescue areas or our waterways - they're all vitally important places for New Zealanders to access, and it's important that we service those adequately," he said. "It's my hope that announcements like these will help everyone keep safe when they're outdoors." The funding over three years would also support the Land Safety Forum, Marlborough-Nelson Marine Radio Association, Police, Department of Conservation, Search and Rescue Council, Mountain Safety Council and Youth Search and Rescue. The government also allocated $624,000 over the same period to maintaining navigation tools at airports without air traffic control towers. Meager said 152 lives were saved, 794 people were rescued and 921 people received help as a result of the work of the search and rescue crews last year. More than 80 percent of the 11,000 people involved in the industry were volunteers, he said. Dunedin Land Search and Rescue chair Ben Mulvey said the extra funding would be used to buy standardised, specialised equipment for volunteers, rather than using their own belongings. "Previously, equipment has been funded individually and as a volunteer, there's other demands in your life between time and money, that allow the ability to volunteer. So having this equipment funded is one less barrier to entry for our volunteers. " he said. Coastguard Dunedin president Blair Olsen said his organisation would be able to buy PPE, emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRBs) and immersion suits for volunteers. "Anything that helps a volunteer go out onto the water and fulfil their duties, keep them safe and bring people back to shore safely as well," he said. Land Search and Rescue spokesman Johnny Franklin said the funding was a vote of confidence in the organisation. "The funding allows our volunteer workforce to remain sustainable into the future, which I think is the biggest thing. We're seeing changes in the volunteering landscape which makes it more difficult to volunteer, and being able to support our volunteers like this allows us to remain a search and rescue service not only today, but tomorrow and into the next 10 years, 15 years," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Search and rescue dog trainer recognised
There are many ways to serve a community, and Cantabrian Ron Ealam has been doing it for the last few decades at least with trusty dogs at his side. On Monday, the Oxford man was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his work with Land Search and Rescue over more than 50 years. For half of that he has been working with rescue dogs - developing the official search dogs training programme and becoming a national trainer and assessor. "I just quite enjoy being out there, and to actually train a dog up to achieve what we've achieved is just quite amazing," he told RNZ. He brought with him Skyla, a border collie beardie cross - one of those he has trained over the years. "They're actually a light, a very light dog that can work pretty good hours and just stop and have a rest and keep going again, and they're just full of energy." Rescue dogs were trained to recognise human scent, Ealam said. "We train them initially right from when they were a pup to indicate and follow human scent, which are skin follicles that fall off your body."And not every dog has a nose for it, he said. "It's just a matter of finding a dog that has got a good nose, and we developed that and enhance their natural ability… they're pretty amazing... once they pick up a scent, they lock onto it and they'll just stay on it." One of his most memorable rescues was an early one at Lake Kaniere in the South Island. "We got a call at 11 o'clock at night for a missing multi-sport runner at Methven, and we drove through the night and we got to Methven about six o'clock in the morning and they put us in a helicopter and took us up onto the tops. "And we searched down for probably four to six hours, and then my dog indicated on the footprint that went down a creek, and we followed the scent down to the last party and she was there - she was very cold. "And I can always remember my dog sort of cuddled up to her." The woman was airlifted out by helicopter. The full King's Birthday Honours list To be Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Ranjna Patel for services to ethnic communities, health and family violence prevention Emeritus Distinguished Professor Alison Stewart for services to plant science and the arable sector Catriona Ruth Williams for services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport To be Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Mark Leslie Smith Cooper, KC for services to the judiciary Brendan Jon Lindsay for services to business and philanthropy Ewan Francis Smith for services to Cook Islands business and tourism To be Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Catherine Joy Andersen for services to the music industry Wayne Robert Boyd for services to business, philanthropy and sport Professor George Charles Clifton for services to structural engineering Anthony Edwin Falkenstein for services to philanthropy and business education Steven Leonard Joyce for services as a Member of Parliament Donald Angus Mackinnon for services to sports governance Professor Emeritus Ian George Mayhew for services to the veterinary profession, especially equine medicine Dr David Edwin McKee for services to New Zealand Sign Language and the Deaf community William Charles Nathan for services to Māori Dr Lesley Kay Rameka for services to Māori and early childhood education Ruth Margaret Richardson for services as a Member of Parliament and to governance Dr Ai Ling Tan for services to gynaecology Dr Mark Greenslade Thomas for services to people living with HIV/AIDS and antibiotic research To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Emeritus Professor George David Baxter for services to physiotherapy and health Gillian Lorraine Bohm for services to health Associate Professor Philip Michel Jose Brinded for services to psychiatry Fergus Graham Brown for services to the tourism industry Graham Vincent Brown for services to the venison industry David Paul Burton for services to food writing Peter Hardy Ballantyne Carty for services to fly-fishing Suzanne Noreen Cato for services to music, television and education Hohepa Conrad for services to Māori, particularly kaupapa waka Peter Michael de Blois for services to music Dr Celia Jane Devenish Giddings for services to women's health and education Sophie Frances Monique Devine for services to cricket Judith Mary Dobson for services to the community, broadcasting and historical preservation Professor Bernadette Kathleen Drummond for services to dentistry and education Daryl Kelvin Eason for services to wildlife conservation Susan Elizabeth Elliott for services to the arts and governance Rear Admiral James Leslie Gilmour, (Rtd) for services to the New Zealand Defence Force Kirk Brian Hardy for services to drug abuse prevention and education Dafydd (Dai) Morgan Henwood for services to the entertainment industry and charitable fundraising Professor Patria Anne Hume for services to sports science and injury prevention Gary Rodney Lane for services to conservation and philanthropy Julia May Marshall for services to children's literature Peter David Martin, JP for services to the community, particularly Pacific and LGBTQ+ communities Murray Graham Mexted for services to rugby David Ross Morgan for services to aviation Panchanatham Narayanan for services to multicultural communities Peter Arnold Nation for services to the agricultural industry and governance Gillian Christine Naylor for services to rural communities, particularly women John Daniel O'Sullivan for services to business and philanthropy Dr Fiona Dorothy Pardington for services to photography Dr Susan Parry for services to gastroenterology David Robert Percy for services to fire safety technologies, business and the community Eric Clive Power for services to swimming Timothy Grant Southee for services to cricket Gail Patricia Spence for services to language education Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley for services to sociology John Bradley Struthers for services to cycling, the cycling industry and business Mark William Joseph Vela for services to mental health care and education Jennifer Mary Wake for services to theatre and television Neil William Walker for services to primary industries and the community Sarah Louise Walker for services to BMX and sports governance Dr Richard John Wild for services to animal welfare and the veterinary sector Portia Louise Woodman-Wickliffe for services to rugby Wayne Wright for services to education and philanthropy To be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Anae Lupematasila Lima Arthur John Anae for services to the Samoan community Ellesse Mote Andrews for services to cycling Richard Balcombe-Langridge for services to business Catherine Juliet Bell for services to food education Dr Santosh Prasad Bhandari for services to the Nepalese community Darryl Bishop for services to mental health Victor Kenneth Boyd for services to survivors of abuse in care Anna Catherine Cottrell for services to documentary filmmaking and migrant communities Simon Eric Denny for services to art Welmoed (Chris) Duggan for services to science education Ronald Bruce Ealam for services to Search and Rescue Robert Tuahuru Edwards for services to the community and governance Susan Ann Elley for services to education Terri Jayne Fairhall (Terri Middleton) for services to the New Zealand Police and the community Allison Daphne Christina Franklin for services to people with disabilities Okesene Uili Galo for services to the Tokelau community Rez Gardi for services to refugees and human rights advocacy Alan Charles Gilmore for services to astronomy Francis Quinn Goldingham for services to outdoor recreation and seniors Elizabeth Helen Graham for services to Māori and education Patricia Pearl Gregory for services to the fashion industry Aaron Mark Halstead for services to Search and Rescue and the tourism industry Dr Nina Emilia Hood for services to education Lesley Mary Huckins for services to swimming Meleua Enda Ikiua for services to Vagahau Niue language and education Martin Kaipo for services to social services and the community Lalita Vanmali Kasanji for services to the IT industry and the Indian community Brian Patrick Kelly for services to broadcasting William James Kermode for services to governance and philanthropy Pamela Margaret Kilmartin for services to astronomy John Junior Kumitau for services to the Pacific community Laurinne Marion Laing for services to sports and people with intellectual disabilities Ross James Lawrence for services to the ski industry Lisa Li for services to the tourism industry James Eric Lilley for services to conservation and the community Janet Crystal-Lee Lilo for services to the arts Pauline-Jean Henrietta Luyten for services to rugby and the Pacific community Reverend David Elliott Major for services to the community and the State Ngatepaeru Marsters for services to midwifery and Pacific communities Lloyd James McCallum for services to the dairy industry and the environment Suzanne Michelle McFadden for services to sports journalism and women Ian Robert Flockhart McKelvie for services to local government, governance and as a Member of Parliament Grant Allan McMillan for services to education and the community Victoria Mary Mee for services to women and business Eugene Joseph Meredith for services to American Football Allan George Mincher for services to aviation engineering Margaret Mary Mitchell for services to the Royal New Zealand Naval Women's Association Dr Alishia Rangiwhakawaita for services to Māori culture Dr Malcolm George Davis Mulholland for services to health and Māori Khoa Truong Nguyen for services to New Zealand-Vietnam relations and the community Julia Louisa Pearse for services to governance and the community Sunit Prakash for services to the IT industry and the Indian community Dr Maxine Mariri Ronald for services to breast cancer treatment and research Gary James Herbert Rooney for services to business and philanthropy Bruce Winston Ross for services to cycling Charles Edward Ross for services to the community Morrin Jackson Rout for services to the arts, particularly literature Simon John Caufield Strombom for services to war commemoration and historical preservation Veronica Ngarutai Kaye Thompson for services to basketball Diane Anita Turner for services to governance, seniors and Māori Hariata Ann Vercoe for services to Māori, health, and the community Louise Annette Wallace for services to the entertainment industry Andrew Norman Williamson for services to agriculture Marilyn Kay Yeoman for services to education and the community Honorary To be an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Viliami Teumohenga for services to education and the Pacific community To be Companions of the King's Service Order: Dr Christopher Evan Longhurst for services to survivors of abuse in care Tyrone Marks for services to survivors of abuse in care Phillip Wayne Paikea for services to the prevention of family violence and the community Dover Spencer Samuels for services as a Member of Parliament Peter William Tipene for services to Māori The King's Service Medal Heather Jayne Baldwin for services to the community Tina May Barrett for services to the community Debra Ann Bell for services to the community Narendra Bhana for services to the Indian community Marius Jean Bron for services to Search and Rescue and the community Judith Marion Browne for services to the community Julia Mary Castles for services to language education and migrant communities John Albert Coleman for services to the community and sport Lily Coleman for services to the community and sport Ross Melville Cooper for services to rugby Margaret Jean Cousins for services to local government and the community Glenda Gaye Davies for services to the community Aperira Ngahau Davis for services to the community Deborah Grace Davis for services to the community Gavin Lloyd Dennis for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community Edwin John Eeles for services to pipe bands Anthony William Norman Enderby for services to conservation Jennifer Fay Enderby for services to conservation Zora Estelle Feilo-Makapa for services to the Niue community and the arts Penelope-Jane Frost for services to children and social work Christine Ada Gilbertson for services to midwifery Kaiaho (Butch) Kereama Green for services to music Heidi Elizabeth Griffin for services to the arts and the community Allyson Teresa Hamblett for services to people with disabilities and the transgender community The Venerable Sohim Hay for services to the Cambodian community Katerina Hauhaua Hepi for services to Māori language education Nicola Linda Hickey (Nicky Rawlings) for services to Victim Support Luen Nanette Hoani for services to Māori language education Parminder Kaur for services to multicultural communities Kevin Francis Loe for services to the community and agriculture Timothy Peter Marshall for services to the community and waka ama Audrey Myra Mattinson for services to Scottish Country Dancing and the community Annie Elizabeth McCracken for services to the community Reverend Rosemary McMillan for services to the community Clem Burnard Mellish for services to Māori art and music Graham Frederick Charles Milligan for services to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association Fergus Charles Denis More for services to the community and the law Graham (Kereama) Douglas Nathan for services to Māori Terence John O'Regan for services to nursing and the community Alison Isabel Perrin for services to the community and music Narayanan Kutty Pulloothpadath for services to ethnic communities Berry Jane Rangi for services to the community, particularly Pacific peoples Karen Elizabeth Richards for services to textiles history and conservation Papali'i Seiuli Johnny Siaosi for services to health and the Pacific community Rosemary Jan Sloman for services to the community Roberta Jane Smallfield for services to historical research and the community Alan (Curly) Rex Troon for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand Jacqueline June Watson for services to the community and the arts Dr Glenys Margaret Weir for services to health Merrilyn Joy Withers for services to youth and the Baptist movement Yuanyong Yang for services to bonsai and the Chinese community Honorary King's Service Medal Eteuati Fa'avae for services to the Pacific community Siesina Ofahelotu Latu for services to the Pacific community
Otago Daily Times
12-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
'Difficult decision': Search for missing tramper paused
Eli Sweeting. Photo: Supplied The search for missing British tramper Eli Sweeting, originally from Bristol, has been suspended. The 25-year-old was reported missing on 4 May after failing to return home from a hike up Mitre Peak, New Zealand. Acting Southern District Commander said this afternoon they made the "difficult" decision today to pause search efforts in Milford Sound for a tramper missing since last Sunday. "We have been supporting the tramper's family and we know this is difficult news for them to hear at what has been an incredibly distressing time." Police remained in frequent contact with the family. "While the search has now been paused, we will be reviewing our efforts and looking to see if there is anything further we can do." In the last six days police had carried out extensive searches in an extremely dangerous and challenging terrain. "We have focussed on searching the route used by climbers as well as an aerial search of the entire area using two helicopters and thermal imagery." Additionally a drone had also been deployed. A number of groups have assisted in this search which include: Land Search and Rescue groups from Southland and Otago, Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team support by a member of the Mount Cook Alpine Rescue team, two search and rescue dogs, Southern Lakes Helicopters, Heliworks Queenstown and Real and the Dunedin Cliff Rescue team were deployed along with a Dunedin Surf Lifesaving team. Many individuals and organisations in Milford Sound contributed hugely in supporting the searchers. Our thoughts are with the missing man's family at this difficult time, police said.
