Calling the New Zealand Defence Force for help added $11,532 to the cost of rescuing 38 people trapped in 4WD vehicles in Central Otago recently.
The group - including children - spent almost 20 hours stranded more than 1300m above sea level on the Old Man Range above Piano Flat, near Roxburgh. The 13 vehicles had to be abandoned high up Waikaia Bush Rd after becoming trapped in 2m snowdrifts, but have been recovered.
The total cost of the rescue was $68,459.53, which will come out of the police and Defence Force budgets.
Police released the cost of the May 22-23 search and rescue operation on Monday because of "significant media interest''.
The figure released - $56,927.53 - included the cost of police staff, the hire of snowcats, skidoos and snow groomers, payment for accommodation and meals and the cost of several rescue attempts by the Otago Rescue Regional Helicopter.
It did not include the cost of the Defence Force's involvement. That figure was announced yesterday.
The group of southern 4WD enthusiasts were trapped in their vehicles in deep snow on Waikaia Bush Rd near Roxburgh for about 26 hours after a snowstorm struck. Bad weather prevented a helicopter rescue and they were eventually rescued using two snowcats.
A Defence Force NH90 helicopter was also involved in the attempts to retrieve the stranded group. It flew from Ohakea Air Force base in the Manawatu. Nine staff were on board for the mission, a defence force spokesman said yesterday. The cost was $11,532.
"Part of the NZDF outputs is support to other government agencies and this includes the New Zealand Police. The costs associated with tasks in support of other government agencies are allocated for in the annual flying budget, which is set at the start of the financial year,'' the spokesman said.
"Tasks such as the Waikaia [Bush] Rd search and rescue also allow us to gain valuable experience and training opportunities that we can apply in humanitarian and disaster relief scenarios and stability and security operations.''
Earlier this week, Otago Lakes area commander Inspector Olaf Jensen said there was never any financial charge imposed on people who were "in distress'' and needed help. Police were required to provide search and rescue services as part of their normal operations.
