Saturday, 18 October 2025

Harsh environment training ground for police divers

    1. Regions
    2. Queenstown

    Const James Kang under the ice with another squad member. Photos: New Zealand Police
    Const James Kang under the ice with another squad member. Photos: New Zealand Police
    The Police National Dive Squad spent four days training in frozen-over Lake Alta, near Queenstown, this week.

    Const Waayer prepares to dive.
    Const Waayer prepares to dive.
    A police spokeswoman said 10 members of the squad took part in the exercise, which was aimed at maintaining proficiency in diving in "complex and harsh conditions".

    The squad’s shelters set up on Lake Alta.
    The squad’s shelters set up on Lake Alta.
    The glacially-formed cirque lake, which sits at an altitude of 1800m near The Remarkables ski area, is up to 36m deep. 

    The squad was supported by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which flew personnel and equipment to the lake with an NH90 helicopter. 

    Constable Justin Waayer assists a colleague.
    Constable Justin Waayer assists a colleague.
    The exercise ended on Thursday.

    New Zealand Police supplied these photos.

     

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