Welcome to AREC New Zealand
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 450 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
450
AREC volunteers
9
AREC partners
Latest News
Southland AREC
Wet day at Dip Flat
long standing AREC members being recognised
Keeping in touch when it counts
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.




Sponsors, Associates & Partners












It's NZ Civil Defence Get Ready Week folks!
The name says it all, it's about getting ready incase of an emergency 👍
Have you ever thought about how you will communicate with your loved ones and your community, if you can't call, text, or jump on your internet apps?
It's a scary thought, but a very real reality in a major emergency.
The answer? Radio Comms. You can use a handheld radio when the phone lines and internet are down.
At AREC, we work alongside Civil Defence providing Radio Communications in emergency situations.
If you want to help your community to stay connected, join us as a volunteer.
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Catch us later this week at the A&P Show in Gisborne 👀 it's the 150 year mark for this event, so it's going to be a goodie!
You can find us with Gisborne Land Search and Rescue 📍
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Pleasure to join in on the action at the Harris Trophy competition over the weekend 💛A message from our friends at Land Search & Rescue New Zealand:
This Saturday, 11th October, will see Land Search & Rescue volunteers from around Canterbury and Clutha putting their skills to the test in the region’s annual Land Search & Rescue ‘Harris Trophy’ competition. This event brings together volunteers and supporters from across the community, celebrating the teamwork, commitment, and skills that go into search and rescue efforts.
The 2025 edition is being held on Otamahua/Quail Island in Lyttelton Harbour. Although not a common area for Land Search & Rescue to train or rescue people from, the unique location provides an opportunity to highlight the history of the island and to challenge volunteers in both land and shoreline search scenarios.
Teams are judged on team work, leadership, search skills and rescue techniques, as well as some mystery activities. There is an overall winner, plus trophies for the team with the best communication (using radios) and navigation.
Alongside Land Search & Rescue will be Coastguard Canterbury, as well as the local branch of AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications.
The island will still be open to public to visit, and we encourage people to come across and see what the teams will be challenged to do.
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It's a good day to get on your reo irirangi (radio) for Mental Health Awareness Week #MHAWNZ 👂
The theme for Monday is 'Connect' - we know a little bit about that don't we hams!? 🙂It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and we’re encouraging you to Top Up Together as you bring the Five Ways to Wellbeing into your daily life. Connect / Me Whakawhanaunga is the Top Up Together theme for Rāhina (Monday).
Social connection is the ngākau/heart of our wellbeing. It weaves us together, making us feel seen, heard, and understood. When we nurture meaningful connections with others, we uplift our own well-being.
Show us how you’re topping up together today by using the #MHAWNZ hashtag and be in to win a $200 Prezzy card 💸! Terms and conditions apply. Tap the link 🔗 in our bio to find inspiration on how you can connect today.
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