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Event
- Caving Exercise at the Bendigo Mine Site
- SAREX in the Chaslands 1985
- Winter SAREX on the Old Man Range
- SAREX on the Rees Dart
- SAREX Swampy Summit
- Shotover river SAREX 1990's
- Tautuku Cup
- SAREX on Maungatua 2004
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DescriptionSearch and Rescue Exercises (SAREX’s): A Brief Background - Roger Bates 2018
Introduction
Search and Rescue in New Zealand began to get established in the 1930’s when it was realized that it was necessary to have an organization that was available to venture into the outdoor environment when persons or aircraft were in distress.
Members of the mountain fraternity in conjunction with the Police set up the organization and the volunteers came under the umbrella of the Federated Mountain Clubs. The one person who was mainly responsible for bringing this to fruition was L.D. Bridge (known as “Bill” to his colleagues).
Advent of SAREX’s
The earliest reference found on this topic goes back to 1959 in the Publication “ Mountain Search and Rescue by LD Bridge. Whereby chapter 19 entitled “Search Tryouts and Training” gave the guidelines to the running of mock searches and rescues suggesting that it would be of valuable practice for those in the organization.
It was noted that the AREC (Amateur Radio Emergency Corps) would welcome exercises that they could be involved in as it provided the opportunity to test out radio communications in the field.
For small scale club organized trials it was suggested the Police be advised of the intention. For clubs or districts intending to hold a full-scale trial it was necessary to request approval through the Regional SAR Coordinator setting out the plan of operation, the geographical area concerned and the resources intended to be used. Such resources as the NZ Army, RNZAF, AREC, Civil Aviation and the Police could be expected to participate if required.
Purpose
The main objective of holding a search and Rescue Exercise is to train personnel in in all facets of a typical SAR operation. This stems from the top level down to those in the field. It is planned that the scenario or mock search to be as realistic as possible. And such themes as missing persons, downed aircraft, those in need of being rescued in varied terrains such as bush, mountains, rivers, close to shore etc.
It is usually held over a weekend to obtain the most benefit.
Occasionally a SAREX may be planned with the intention of revisiting an actual operation where the missing person had not been found.
Significant SAREX’s held in the past
1966 Beaconquest and Alpinecall
Bill Bridge set up both a North Island and Southland Exercise for the leading SAR advisers and AREC managers to observe how a search would be carried out for a downed aircraft that was sending out a signal from its emergency beacon. This exercise demonstrated the value of an ELB and emphasized the need for all aircraft to carry one. The location was in the Tararua’s for the NI venue with HQ being at the Trentham Police College.
Transport to Exercises
It is of interest to note that through Bill Bridge’s influence with key government departments he was able to arrange with Civil Aviation free air transport for SAR volunteer’s to attend National seminars and exercises. A C.A.D. DC3 aircraft would fly to all key locations situated around the North and South Islands picking up SAR persons from each location to bring them to the venue which was generally Wellington.
Late 1960’s and into the 70’s - Police Training Courses.
Under the direction of Bill Bridge - SAREX’s in conjunction with bushcraft training were established and organized for Police personnel from cadet level up to officers. The courses commenced from the Trentham Police College and moved into the Tauherenikau and Totara Flats areas of the Tararua Forest Park. Wellington SAR members of the FMC were called in to assist in the field.
These courses are still being run by the Police and are generally held at Dip Flat.
1972 National Face Rescue Exercise – Mount Cook
Face Rescue Teams which are now known as Alpine Cliff Rescue Teams were established in 1965 and an exercise involving all teams from around the country was held at Mount Cook. The mock rescue operation was carried out near the summit of the Nun’s Veil and the NZ Air Force were deployed in putting teams onto the mountain using their Iroquois helicopter.
1983 Central Otago – Bendigo Exercise
This exercise incorporated resources from the Police, Land SAR, Caving and Mines Rescue personnel. The objective being to assess the methods that would be used in the event of a person going missing and having disappeared down a disused mine shaft which were known to be in the area.
1986 Auckland – Class 3 International Exercise
Under the direction of the Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation Division a Seminar and Exercise was held using a desk top situation. Representatives from the Pacific Region were in attendance. An FMC SAR person was in attendance.
1989 Takaka Hill – Cave Rescue Exercise
The first national cave rescue exercise was undertaken in the vicinity of the Takaka hill cavers hut. It involved members from the countries cave rescue teams as well as Land SAR members and ACR team leaders. Teams worked underground to evacuate an injured person.
Up to the present day
Since the 1960’s SAR groups around the country have organized and undertaken SAREX’s generally on annual basis in conjunction with the Police who provide the valuable support. At certain intervals groups are also aided by the New Zealand Air Force who provide helicopter support and assist by putting in and extracting personnel from the field as well as giving instruction relating to working with helicopters.
Introduction
Search and Rescue in New Zealand began to get established in the 1930’s when it was realized that it was necessary to have an organization that was available to venture into the outdoor environment when persons or aircraft were in distress.
Members of the mountain fraternity in conjunction with the Police set up the organization and the volunteers came under the umbrella of the Federated Mountain Clubs. The one person who was mainly responsible for bringing this to fruition was L.D. Bridge (known as “Bill” to his colleagues).
Advent of SAREX’s
The earliest reference found on this topic goes back to 1959 in the Publication “ Mountain Search and Rescue by LD Bridge. Whereby chapter 19 entitled “Search Tryouts and Training” gave the guidelines to the running of mock searches and rescues suggesting that it would be of valuable practice for those in the organization.
It was noted that the AREC (Amateur Radio Emergency Corps) would welcome exercises that they could be involved in as it provided the opportunity to test out radio communications in the field.
For small scale club organized trials it was suggested the Police be advised of the intention. For clubs or districts intending to hold a full-scale trial it was necessary to request approval through the Regional SAR Coordinator setting out the plan of operation, the geographical area concerned and the resources intended to be used. Such resources as the NZ Army, RNZAF, AREC, Civil Aviation and the Police could be expected to participate if required.
Purpose
The main objective of holding a search and Rescue Exercise is to train personnel in in all facets of a typical SAR operation. This stems from the top level down to those in the field. It is planned that the scenario or mock search to be as realistic as possible. And such themes as missing persons, downed aircraft, those in need of being rescued in varied terrains such as bush, mountains, rivers, close to shore etc.
It is usually held over a weekend to obtain the most benefit.
Occasionally a SAREX may be planned with the intention of revisiting an actual operation where the missing person had not been found.
Significant SAREX’s held in the past
1966 Beaconquest and Alpinecall
Bill Bridge set up both a North Island and Southland Exercise for the leading SAR advisers and AREC managers to observe how a search would be carried out for a downed aircraft that was sending out a signal from its emergency beacon. This exercise demonstrated the value of an ELB and emphasized the need for all aircraft to carry one. The location was in the Tararua’s for the NI venue with HQ being at the Trentham Police College.
Transport to Exercises
It is of interest to note that through Bill Bridge’s influence with key government departments he was able to arrange with Civil Aviation free air transport for SAR volunteer’s to attend National seminars and exercises. A C.A.D. DC3 aircraft would fly to all key locations situated around the North and South Islands picking up SAR persons from each location to bring them to the venue which was generally Wellington.
Late 1960’s and into the 70’s - Police Training Courses.
Under the direction of Bill Bridge - SAREX’s in conjunction with bushcraft training were established and organized for Police personnel from cadet level up to officers. The courses commenced from the Trentham Police College and moved into the Tauherenikau and Totara Flats areas of the Tararua Forest Park. Wellington SAR members of the FMC were called in to assist in the field.
These courses are still being run by the Police and are generally held at Dip Flat.
1972 National Face Rescue Exercise – Mount Cook
Face Rescue Teams which are now known as Alpine Cliff Rescue Teams were established in 1965 and an exercise involving all teams from around the country was held at Mount Cook. The mock rescue operation was carried out near the summit of the Nun’s Veil and the NZ Air Force were deployed in putting teams onto the mountain using their Iroquois helicopter.
1983 Central Otago – Bendigo Exercise
This exercise incorporated resources from the Police, Land SAR, Caving and Mines Rescue personnel. The objective being to assess the methods that would be used in the event of a person going missing and having disappeared down a disused mine shaft which were known to be in the area.
1986 Auckland – Class 3 International Exercise
Under the direction of the Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation Division a Seminar and Exercise was held using a desk top situation. Representatives from the Pacific Region were in attendance. An FMC SAR person was in attendance.
1989 Takaka Hill – Cave Rescue Exercise
The first national cave rescue exercise was undertaken in the vicinity of the Takaka hill cavers hut. It involved members from the countries cave rescue teams as well as Land SAR members and ACR team leaders. Teams worked underground to evacuate an injured person.
Up to the present day
Since the 1960’s SAR groups around the country have organized and undertaken SAREX’s generally on annual basis in conjunction with the Police who provide the valuable support. At certain intervals groups are also aided by the New Zealand Air Force who provide helicopter support and assist by putting in and extracting personnel from the field as well as giving instruction relating to working with helicopters.
Relates to
SubjectSearch and RescuePoliceEventCaving Exercise at the Bendigo Mine SiteSAREX in the Chaslands 1985Winter SAREX on the Old Man RangeSAREX on the Rees DartSAREX Swampy SummitShotover river SAREX 1990'sTautuku CupSAREX on Maungatua 2004ManuscriptBeaconQuest - National Search and Rescue Exercise 1966Tautuku Cup - foundation to the competitionResponse to a SAR call in a shafted area 1990'sResponse to a SAR call in a shafted areaAlpineCall Search and Rescue Exercise 1968Tautuku Cup - foundation to the competitionPeopleRoger BatesL D BridgeRoger BarrowcloughPlaceDunedin Police Station
PoliceEventCaving Exercise at the Bendigo Mine SiteSAREX in the Chaslands 1985Winter SAREX on the Old Man RangeSAREX on the Rees DartSAREX Swampy SummitShotover river SAREX 1990'sTautuku CupSAREX on Maungatua 2004ManuscriptBeaconQuest - National Search and Rescue Exercise 1966Tautuku Cup - foundation to the competitionResponse to a SAR call in a shafted area 1990'sResponse to a SAR call in a shafted areaAlpineCall Search and Rescue Exercise 1968Tautuku Cup - foundation to the competitionPeopleRoger BatesL D BridgeRoger BarrowcloughPlaceDunedin Police Stationloading google map....
Dunedin Public Libraries (6th Jul 2026). SAREX. In Website Dunedin Public Libraries. Retrieved 3rd Aug 2026 06:56, from https://dunedin.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/200562