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Search & Rescue NZ

by RNZ

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Latest episodes

The Toll

November 5, 2025 · 38 min

The public can often view rescuers as heroes who are just doing a job. But years of attending rescues, accidents, or the tragic retrieval of bodies, can have a devasting effect on both volunteers or emergency service workers. Content…
A Step Too Far

November 3, 2025 · 46 min

Experienced canyoners Dave Vass and Annette Phillips were out doing the ultimate outdoor activity when adventure turned into accident in a little explored canyon, leaving them with difficult decisions to make. Content warning: this series…
Accidents Do Happen

October 29, 2025 · 44 min

The increase of social media has seen many walkers, often overseas visitors, attracted to places beyond their experience or ability. Mount Brewster in Mount Aspiring National Park now has up to ten rescues a year as hundreds flock there to…
With No Regrets

October 27, 2025 · 31 min

After five days trapped in the "Middle Peak Hotel" crevasse on the summit ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook, climbers Phil Doole and Mark Inglis were in big trouble – both having frostbite to their feet. By day 15 fears were held for their lives…
Middle Peak Hotel

October 22, 2025 · 52 min

In November 1982, two climbers Phil Doole and Mark Inglis were trapped on the summit ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook at over 3000 metres. Taking shelter in a sparse crevasse near the summit, storms and high winds thwarted any rescue attempts…

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The Way It Was

October 20, 2025 · 49 min

A typical rescue today is aided by GPS, personal location beacons, agile helicopters and LandSAR rescuers. This is in stark contrast to the 1960s, where rescuers usually came from tramping clubs, they provided their own gear, and could be…
Troglodytes

October 15, 2025 · 44 min

At the centre of the largest and most complex cave rescues ever attempted was Dr Michael Brewer. In 2007, the local doctor was trapped and injured two kilometres underground in a little explored cave system in the Takaka Hills. Content…
A Sense of Duty

October 13, 2025 · 46 min

In the winter of 1966, four climbers went to climb the Otira Face of Mount Rolleston in Arthurs Pass National Park and never returned. The search and rescue operation was one of the last large scale call outs, all on foot that saw up to a…
Between Heaven and Earth

October 8, 2025 · 51 min

Cascade Saddle in Mount Aspiring National Park is a popular alpine crossing, but the difficulty of the trek and the hazards are often underestimated by inexperienced trampers on this long and demanding route. For two overseas tourists, an…
Introducing: Search & Rescue NZ

September 25, 2025 · 2 min

Head to the hills, scour the bush, and dive deep into the caves with a series that takes you behind the scenes of the rescues in New Zealand’s unforgiving outdoors. Go out with the volunteers who put themselves on the line to rescue…

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About the show

Each year, thousands of people need to be rescued in New Zealand’s unforgiving outdoors. Some searches are successful, some not. But behind each is an incredible story of courage.