SEARCH & RESCUE

Glenorchy has a strong group of SAR skilled personnel. Search & Rescue in the area is managed by the NZ Police with assistance from NZ LandSAR volunteers. These people bring different expertise and skills to search and rescue work.

The Wakatipu Area SAR team comprise Bush, Alpine Cliff Rescue, Avalanche and Wilderness Search dogs and Swift Water rescue teams.

The group uses helicopters for much of it’s work because of the mountainous and sometimes isolated nature of incidents. Helicopters on call have night vision capacity so critical operations may be carried out during hours of darkness. Heli-winching options are also available.

The Wakatipu SAR Group is one of the busier groups in the country with some 30 operations per annum.

A number of these operations are based out of the Glenorchy area which reflects the popular and high recreational use of the area.

In case of SAR emergencies, dial 111 and ask for the Police to activate a search and rescue call-out.