Serving our community since 1932

    What started as a response to the disastrous Napier earthquake of 1931 has grown over the years into a nationwide organisation. Over the decades, AREC has provided essential communications for thousands of emergency events, from search and rescue missions to natural disasters, civil defence emergencies to community events.
     
     

    Here are some highlights from our story.

    3 February 1931
    3 February 1931
    After the devastating earthquake in Napier, Amateur Radio operators provided essential communications between Napier and Wellington. Comms: Morse code and AM (Amplitude Modulation) thought it might be nice to add the type of equipment/tech that the team was using at particular points in history.
    3 February 1931
    February 1932
    February 1932
    REC was formally constituted. By the end of this month, nine districts had established REC sections
    February 1932
    June 1932
    June 1932
    The Post & Telegraph department officially recognised REC and allocated an exclusive frequency band 2.85 to 3.00 MHz
    June 1932
    October 1932
    October 1932
    The first official call-out. REC Wellington assisted in the search for a crashed aircraft at Tawa Flat
    October 1932
    1948
    1948
    First major operation with Land Search & Rescue (SAR) at Mt Ruapehu (Kaka)
    1948
    1949
    1949
    REC added the word Amateur to its name
    1949
    1950
    1950
    AREC starts providing communications advice and assistance to local Civil Defence.
    1950
    1970
    1970
    The first AREC communications vehicle was constructed by the Southland AREC.
    1970
    1988
    1988
    AREC now has 75 sections covering the whole of NZ.
    1988
    Feb 2002
    Feb 2002
    AREC was awarded the National SAR Award for their long commitment to Search and Rescue in New Zealand, Land SAR, but also for assistance with Marine and Class 3 searches
    Feb 2002
    June 2009
    June 2009
    The NZART AREC Emergency Funds Trust obtained charitable status.
    June 2009
    September 2010
    September 2010
    AREC provided comms after the 7.1 magnitude Christchurch earthquake, for 12 days. At its peak the team was managing and controlling over 150 radios in the field.
    September 2010
    Date
    Date
    Development of an all-digital radio network across New Zealand. Wide area linking of the DMR network occurs via direct microwave at 5.8 GHz or via telco-provided internet (cable, fibre, and cellular wireless).
    Date

    Become a member of AREC today!
    As a member of AREC, you enjoy local and national training, the opportunity to participate in SAR exercises and search operations and take part in meetings in your local district with like-minded people.

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