Each year, thousands of people need to be rescued in New Zealand’s unforgiving outdoors. Some searches are successful, some not. But behind each is an incredible story of courage.
The public can often view rescuers as heroes who are just doing a job. But years of attending rescues, accidents, or the tragic retrieval of bodies, can have a devasting effect on both volunteers or emergency service workers.
Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision (https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/)
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=4bbab038-2b9a-46b5-a1dc-07eb78489b73)
3 Nov 2025
A Step Too Far
Experienced canyoners Dave Vass and Annette Phillips were out doing the ultimate outdoor activity when adventure turned into accident in a little explored canyon, leaving them with difficult decisions to make.
Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision (https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/)
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=9ea82131-3efc-4894-8281-c9e15b8eb5e2)
29 Oct 2025
Accidents Do Happen
The increase of social media has seen many walkers, often overseas visitors, attracted to places beyond their experience or ability. Mount Brewster in Mount Aspiring National Park now has up to ten rescues a year as hundreds flock there to take a selfie, but sometimes even this poses a risk.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=8487e33b-f5c3-49b5-8941-842bf5821cdb)
27 Oct 2025
With No Regrets
After five days trapped in the "Middle Peak Hotel" crevasse on the summit ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook, climbers Phil Doole and Mark Inglis were in big trouble – both having frostbite to their feet. By day 15 fears were held for their lives, until a short break in the weather and the heroic efforts of pilot Ron Small and rescuer Don Bogie.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=f4336ec0-d956-4e3c-bfcd-388b95d6582c)
22 Oct 2025
Middle Peak Hotel
In November 1982, two climbers Phil Doole and Mark Inglis were trapped on the summit ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook at over 3000 metres. Taking shelter in a sparse crevasse near the summit, storms and high winds thwarted any rescue attempts when the pair were declared missing after five days.
Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision (https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/)
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=23758ac0-30e5-4922-9380-1a58a9bfc183)
20 Oct 2025
The Way It Was
A typical rescue today is aided by GPS, personal location beacons, agile helicopters and LandSAR rescuers. This is in stark contrast to the 1960s, where rescuers usually came from tramping clubs, they provided their own gear, and could be out in the field for days, it was all very "number 8 wire".
Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision (https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/)
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=592107f4-69fa-43b5-88f1-e5eb812c6c51)
15 Oct 2025
Troglodytes
At the centre of the largest and most complex cave rescues ever attempted was Dr Michael Brewer. In 2007, the local doctor was trapped and injured two kilometres underground in a little explored cave system in the Takaka Hills.
Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision (https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/)
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=a47c32a5-f442-4df0-a3d2-1cb694a59b44)
13 Oct 2025
A Sense of Duty
In the winter of 1966, four climbers went to climb the Otira Face of Mount Rolleston in Arthurs Pass National Park and never returned. The search and rescue operation was one of the last large scale call outs, all on foot that saw up to a hundred volunteers navigating harsh conditions to find them.
Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Archival recordings thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision (https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/)
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=0d8c3812-d10f-4c39-be89-db203796c594)
8 Oct 2025
Between Heaven and Earth
Cascade Saddle in Mount Aspiring National Park is a popular alpine crossing, but the difficulty of the trek and the hazards are often underestimated by inexperienced trampers on this long and demanding route. For two overseas tourists, an overnight adventure to the park goes horribly wrong.
Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.
See photos and read more about this episode on the RNZ website (https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/people/couple-on-a-summer-tramp-slipped-he-died-she-didn-t)
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision (https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/)
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=fc3c505e-a208-4461-9a4e-20f0619ffe20)
25 Sept 2025
Introducing: Search & Rescue NZ
Head to the hills, scour the bush, and dive deep into the caves with a series that takes you behind the scenes of the rescues in New Zealand’s unforgiving outdoors. Go out with the volunteers who put themselves on the line to rescue complete strangers. Host Paul Roy looks at the evolution of rescues from the do-it-yourself operations of the 1960s to today's highly managed efforts. They all have one thing in common – something went wrong and someone needed help.
Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.
Thanks to the LandSAR (https://www.landsar.org.nz/) volunteers who shared their stories.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/search-and-rescue-nz?share=bfa59964-dcb7-4672-938f-a5bd4efa0411)
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
84 ratings
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