Welcome to 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.
     
     
     

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

    Join us
    Donate

    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.

    Read More

    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.

    Read More

    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.

    Read More

    Volunteers

    AREC’s 450 fully equipped Volunteers provide communications services for civil emergencies, search and rescue and community events.

    Read More

    264

    Events attended by AREC + 126 SAR events

    47

    AREC groups
    nationwide

    450

    AREC volunteers

    9

    AREC partners

    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
    Read More

    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
    Read More

    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
    Read More

    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
    Read More

    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.

    Join Now!
    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

    Facebook

    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
    Author Avatar
    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications is with Blackhawk Gazebo and Display.
    1 week ago

    Our volunteers have been busy in recent weeks, getting out and waving the AREC flag at various events around the country 👋

    A huge thanks to our volunteers who give up their time planning, setting up, chatting to the community about what we do, then packing it all down at the end! 💛

    📸Porirua Fire Brigade Emergency Services Expo
    📸Buckland Community Emergency Response Expo
    📸Gisborne A&P Show

    Photo credit 📸
    image 1. Jay Bauman
    image 2. Tom McDonald
    image 3. Steve Main     ... See MoreSee Less

    Our volunteers have Image attachmentImage attachment
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    Author Avatar
    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
    3 weeks ago

    If you are in Porirua today, be sure to come by and see us! ✌️ ... See MoreSee Less

    This content isn't available right now

    When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    Author Avatar
    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
    3 weeks ago

    Remember to have your radio's charged and emergency supplies ready 💛🔺 Red Warnings in force for dangerous northwest winds on Thursday 🔺

    Get the most up to date information here:

    Tuesday saw widespread severe gales with impacts through a number of regions but Thursday is forecast to be even more intense. Gusts of 150km/h are mentioned for Canterbury High Country.

    Intense rain with thunderstorms are also on the cards for tomorrow.

    Those in Red Warning areas should limit travel if possible, prepare for power outages and make sure that trampoline is tied down.

    NZ Civil Defence HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Wellington Region Emergency Management Office Nelson Tasman Civil Defence West Coast Emergency Management Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management Emergency Management Southland NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Wellington NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Canterbury & West Coast NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Nelson, Tasman & Marlborough NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Otago & Southland Hawke's Bay Regional Council Wellington City Council Marlborough District Council Christchurch City Council Environment Canterbury Otago Regional Council Environment Southland Porirua City Council Hutt City Council Greater Wellington     ... See MoreSee Less

    Remember to have you
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    Author Avatar
    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
    3 weeks ago

    If you have ever wondered what a Search and Rescue exercise looks like- check out this great video by Auckland Emergency Management 🙌 ... See MoreSee Less

    Operation Waitākere – Behind the Scenes
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    Load more