At the Dunedin Coastguard building yesterday, Associate Minister of Transport James Meager announced a further $76.7m in funding for New Zealand Search and Rescue, over three years and shared across 12 organisations, including Land Search and Rescue ($30.1m), Coastguard NZ ($11.3m) and the New Zealand Aviation Federation ($542,000).
Mr Meager said the funding was an investment in safety and efficiency for search and rescue teams.
"Alongside the clear benefits for New Zealanders’ health and safety while they get out and explore, this package highlights the government’s commitment to helping grow our economy by supporting a safe and secure recreational aviation system," he said.
"Fundamentally, it’s my hope that announcements like these will help everyone to keep safe when they’re outdoors, whether that’s on the land, in the water or in the air."
The funding was based on excise payments from recreational boats and aircraft users.
Dunedin Coastguard president Blair Olsen said the funding would help provide personal protective equipment such as immersion suits or emergency position-indicating radio beacons.
"Anything that helps a volunteer go out on to the water, keep them safe and bring the people back to shore safely as well."
Dunedin LandSAR chairman Ben Mulvey said the funding would allow standardised equipment for groups across the country.
"Previously, equipment had been funded individually, and as a volunteer, there’s other demands in your life between time and money that allow the ability to volunteer.
"Having this equipment funded is one less barrier to entry for our volunteers."
LandSAR chief development and project officer Johnny Franklin said the funding demonstrated the government’s confidence and trust in the organisation and its volunteers.
"And our ability to continue to deliver the professional level [of] services to the missing, injured and lost, not only today, but more importantly, into the future."
