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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Volunteers

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

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    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
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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.

    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

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    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
    2 days ago
    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

    Communications Live Day? We’ll be there! 🫡The AREC team will have Morse code gear set up which will be good fun for all - be sure to come and say hi on Sunday! 👋 MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) ... See MoreSee Less

    Communications Live Day? We’ll be there! 🫡The AREC team will have Morse code gear set up which will be good fun for all - be sure to come and say hi on Sunday! 👋 MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology)Image attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
    1 week ago
    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

    When the power’s out and the phone lines are down, radio skills keep communities connected.

    Teaching the next generation this vital skill gives them the confidence to step up in an emergency— and the know-how to help when it counts ✅

    Earlier this year AREC and @ysarnz teamed up to share our knowledge through training and help prepare youth to confidently take the reins when their moment comes ⏳

    We recently kicked things off with a one-day training course in Christchurch for their Year 1 students, to provide a basic understanding of VHF communications and good voice procedures. Happy to say we got lots of 👍👍👍

    We are so proud to be working with YSAR and look forward to sharing more about our journey together.

    #EmergencyResponse #EmergencyPreparedness #emergencycommunications     ... See MoreSee Less

    When the power’s out and the phone lines are down, radio skills keep communities connected. Teaching the next generation this vital skill gives them the confidence to step up in an emergency— and the know-how to help when it counts ✅ Earlier this year AREC and @ysarnz teamed up to share our knowledge through training and help prepare youth to confidently take the reins when their moment comes ⏳ We recently kicked things off with a one-day training course in Christchurch for their Year 1 students, to provide a basic understanding of VHF communications and good voice procedures. Happy to say we got lots of 👍👍👍 We are so proud to be working with YSAR and look forward to sharing more about our journey together. #EmergencyResponse #EmergencyPreparedness #emergencycommunications
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    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
    1 week ago
    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

    Great write-up from @Southland District Council on the funding provided to AREC through the Southland District Council Districts Initiatives Fund.

    The funding supported with the much-needed purchase of a new comms vehicle for our Southland Group.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    www.southlanddc.govt.nz

    www.southlanddc.govt.nz

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    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
    3 weeks ago
    AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

    This Daffodil Day, we join the @cancersocietynewzealand in showing our support for every New Zealander affected by cancer #DaffodilDay 💛 ... See MoreSee Less

    This Daffodil Day, we join the @cancersocietynewzealand in showing our support for every New Zealander affected by cancer #DaffodilDay 💛
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