AREC at community events

Amateur Radio Emergency Communication “AREC” the public service arm of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) formed by members who are individually licensed amateur radio operators.

Welcome to AREC New Zealand

Welcome to Amateur Radio Emergency Communication “AREC”. AREC is the public service arm of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) formed by members who are primarily individually licensed amateur radio operators. AREC provides skilled Volunteers enabling essential communications to support search and rescue, disaster response, and our community.

AREC.site
AREC’s legacy website and the technical information it contained is still available for a period of time at www.arec.site

Our Services

Communications

AREC provides a range of communications services covering the provision of highly trained, experience Volunteer radio operators delivering vital messaging services for search and rescue, civil emergencies and community events.

Training & Advice

AREC delivers high quality education, training and assessment of AREC volunteers and other partner organizations. Our volunteers deliver advice and guidance utilizing their extensive technical and operational knowledge.

Infrastructure & Equipment

AREC endeavours to provide and maintain suitable radio and communications technology equipment and infrastructure to enable our volunteers to provide a highly capable and responsive emergency communication service.

Volunteers

AREC’s 375 fully equipped Volunteers provide communications services for civil emergencies, search and rescue and community events.

264

Events attended by AREC + 126 SAR events

47

AREC groups
nationwide

375

AREC volunteers

8

AREC partners

(NZSAR, RCC, Police, LandSAR,)

Latest News

Southland AREC

Tonight, we celebrate Southland AREC being recognized at the NZ Search and Rescue Awards. Brendon ZL4BDS was on hand to receive the certificate of achievement for the search for the
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Wet day at Dip Flat

It has been very wet, and now a bit cool at Dip Flat for the Police National SAR Course. AREC – Amateur Radio Emergency Communications providing Comms support with Christchurch and
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long standing AREC members being recognised

Years of radio communication have given one Balclutha man audio experiences for a lifetime. Balclutha local Cliff Gray recently received a life membership for his contribution to the South Otago’s
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Keeping in touch when it counts

Great article recognising all ‘Hams’ who supported Tairawhiti – Gisborne, through the worst devastation the region had seen in decades.  Ka mau te wehi! https://www.criticalcomms.com.au/content/public-safety/article/radio-amateurs-respond-to-cyclone-gabrielle-249881583
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Join the adventure!

Join AREC as a volunteer

You will join a group and receive training to provide essential communications to support Search & Rescue, Disaster Response, and our community.

The sense of accomplishment helping locate a family's loved one cannot be beaten. As an AREC volunteer I enjoy the adventure, using and building my skillset, but most importantly the community
I joined AREC because I want to help my community. I enjoy building my technical skills and volunteering my time with a group of like-minded people. Terrance Shaw – AREC
I have been an amateur radio enthusiast for a number of years and find that through AREC I can give back to the community. As an avid motor sport fan,

Sponsors, Associates & Partners

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Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) tests the skills of Eastern Police SAR partners and volunteers between 16 - 17 Aug 2024.

Hawkes Bay LandSAR volunteers and Eastern Police SAR teamed up with members of the Hawkes Bay AREC for an overnight Police SAREX in Hawkes Bay over the weekend.

The SAREX scenario was held to test response capability, multi-agency teamwork and communication in responding to a simulated overdue tamper from the Sunrise Hut, near Whakarara in Central Hawkes’ Bay.

The weekend’s training scenario involved field teams being deployed into the bush and searching into the night for the missing person with support from AREC Comms, MSU and IMT based back at the Coastguard’s Operations & Education Centre, Meeanee Quay, Napier.

There were two search areas, with assets divided equally across those search areas running grid search patterns looking for the overdue person.

Members of the IMT, and AREC Radio Operators used their skills and experience to help LandSAR members to locate the overdue person swiftly.

These multi-agency response exercises are important to developing members’ skills and it allows them to address any gaps in their knowledge and ask questions in a simulated exercise, rather than when there is a real incident unfolding.

It’s a great opportunity to make sure when that day comes, we’re ready for it! RMC ZK6EXC
... See MoreSee Less

Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) tests the skills of Eastern Police SAR partners and volunteers between 16 - 17 Aug 2024.

Hawkes Bay LandSAR volunteers and Eastern Police SAR teamed up with members of the Hawkes Bay AREC for an overnight Police SAREX in Hawkes Bay over the weekend.

The SAREX scenario was held to test response capability, multi-agency teamwork and communication in responding to a simulated overdue tamper from the Sunrise Hut, near Whakarara in Central Hawkes’ Bay.

The weekend’s training scenario involved field teams being deployed into the bush and searching into the night for the missing person with support from AREC Comms, MSU and IMT based back at the Coastguard’s Operations & Education Centre, Meeanee Quay, Napier.

There were two search areas, with assets divided equally across those search areas running grid search patterns looking for the overdue person. 

Members of the IMT, and AREC Radio Operators used their skills and experience to help LandSAR members to locate the overdue person swiftly.

These multi-agency response exercises are important to developing members’ skills and it allows them to address any gaps in their knowledge and ask questions in a simulated exercise, rather than when there is a real incident unfolding.

It’s a great opportunity to make sure when that day comes, we’re ready for it! RMC ZK6EXCImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

Where would AREC be without the commitment and support of our volunteers. We couldn't be more grateful for all our amazing team who have collectively logged over 1000 hours of support assisting with the lost, missing and national events.

We thank you.
... See MoreSee Less

Where would AREC be without the commitment and support of our volunteers. We couldnt be more grateful for all our amazing team who have collectively logged over 1000 hours of support assisting with the lost, missing and national events.

We thank you.

A big shout out to all our members and partners for the great mahi that you do as volunteers ... See MoreSee Less

A big shout out to all our members and partners for the great mahi that you do as volunteers
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