AREC New Zealand

We are a volunteer organisation dedicated to keeping everyone connected during search and rescue operations, emergency responses, and community disasters.

Our skilled radio operators ensure vital information gets where it needs to go — keeping teams coordinated and communities safe.

We work alongside organisations such as Land Search and Rescue, NZ Police, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving, and Civil Defence.

Help us to keep Aotearoa safe by becoming a volunteer, or sponsoring us to support our vital work.

Connecting you in Crisis, Supporting you in Safety.

Our Services

264

Events attended by AREC + 126 SAR events

40

AREC groups
nationwide

450

AREC volunteers

9

AREC partners

Latest News

MTF Hastings donate to AREC Hawkes Bay Group

MTF Hastings recently ran a giveaway where they asked the community for nominations of a local charity, sports club, school, or community group, who could use the support. Hawkes Bay

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

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

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

Join the adventure!

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 have become a part of. Daniel Erickson – AREC Group Leader

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 Volunteer

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, I have been involved in supplying communications for car rallies, and events since 1983. Terry James – AREC Group Leader

Sponsors, Associates & Partners

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AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

Let’s do this! 💛Police would like to advise the Tekapo community of a multi-agency Search and Rescue training exercise taking place this week.

From Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March, Lake Tekapo will be hosting Operation Oasis, a complex, multi-phase scenario designed to test search techniques, field skills, and fatigue management in realistic conditions.

Over 200 Search and Rescue specialists from across the Canterbury District will be taking part in the exercise from Police, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Land Search and Rescue, Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, Alpine Rescue Canterbury, Hato Hone St John, and the New Zealand Defence Force.

Members of the public will see increased activity in the area, with use of helicopters, boats, and Search and Rescue personnel and equipment.

This is a planned, routine training exercise and the public should not be alarmed.

We appreciate and thank the community for their understanding and support as our teams work to maintain and enhance their capability to respond to emergencies. ... See MoreSee Less

Let’s do this! �

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AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

AREC attended the annual Waikato Police District SAREX in Pirongia village over the 7th and 8th of March, alongside @landsarnz

Held at Pirongia Rugby Club rooms, those in attendance rotated through training workshops on the Saturday, including Stretcher Mule handling, Wandersearch, Urban Search and Maps plus Radio Communications.

The team were also lucky enough to be treated to a demonstration with the Police drone and night vision goggles - an extremely impressive demonstration with the drone showing off all that can be achieved with the various attachments! 🌙🔦

Sunday morning started early for the Search and Rescue Exercise, with the goal of finding a ‘missing youngster’.

Multiple teams were sent out to search local streets and properties, with the teams being coordinated by the AREC communications personnel on instruction from the IMT (Incident Management Team).

As always, we relish the opportunity to be involved in a SAREX, as it gives our volunteers a chance to work alongside our amazing Partner organisations, and get hands-on with communications so we are well-practised for the real deal 💪

A big thank you to those who coordinated the weekend and welcomed us in 🤝
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If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for AREC, apply now on our website!

#EmergencyPreparedness #emergencycommunications #emergencyresponse #radiocommunication #EmergencyCommunications ... See MoreSee Less

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AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

In moments that matter, volunteers make the difference 💛

Members of Auckland AREC supported Police and Land Search & Rescue New Zealand with comms for a SAR callout over the weekend - shout out to Kieran ZL1GER and Terry ZL1HOG for being there.

The tech? D4H incident management software, and a Crosswire radio despatch console 🧑‍💻 ... See MoreSee Less

In moments that matt

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AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

Proud to work alongside Tairāwhiti Civil Defence 💛 they have really had alot going on this Summer, and they are doing an incredible job supporting the community!

Big thanks to our AREC volunteers helping out there - Amber, Laura, Veronika, Sarah, Kera, Scott, Cody, Ian & Liam, as well as Sean & Keith providing remote SITREPs. ⭐️When an emergency strikes, the wider Tairāwhiti community comes together like no other 💙. Part of that takes place in the ECC – the Emergency Coordination Centre – which becomes the heart of the response.
Included amongst the many who are part of that, are the AREC (Amateur Radio 📻 Emergency Communications) team. It’s a volunteer organisation dedicated to keeping everyone connected during search and rescue operations, emergency responses, and community disasters. Two of those are Stu Armstrong and Steve Main, who are in the ECC today, doing regular radio check-ins with remote groups around the Coast.
AREC have a group in Gisborne and another in Ruatoria with around 37 members across the two . . . and they’re always keen to welcome new members. We are hugely appreciative of their support. 💗

AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications ... See MoreSee Less

Proud to work alongs

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