Southlanders were honoured at the 2022 New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards which took place at the Grand Hall in Parliament in Wellington on Tuesday (16 May).

The awards, which recognise outstanding achievements within New Zealand’s search and rescue region, were presented by Associate Minister for Transport, Hon. Kiri Allan.

Tuatapere's John Munro received a gold award, the highest award for support activity, in recognition of his 27 years of dedication to ensuring personal locator beacons (PLBs) are available to all.

Munro said he was very humbled by the award.

"[It was a] very big surprise that was absolutely not expected," he said.

"It's just something I love to do."

"It's something that helps and makes things safer for people out there in our lovely, wonderful outdoors," Munro said.

Munros involvement with PLBs started in 1996 with the establishment of Southland Locator Beacons Charitable Company.

He is also credited with being instrumental in the initial development of New Zealand’s first PLB hire agency, Locator Beacons New Zealand.

Today the company is New Zealand's largest PLB hire agency, with over 500 units available to rent across 89 outlets.

Locator Beacons New Zealand PLB's have now been activated more than 800 times.

Rescuers who on 27 March 2022 responded to a missing tramper at Milford Sound Piopiotahi's Devils Armchair near the Milford Track, were each awarded a NZSAR Certificate of Achievement for Operational Activity.

The certificate is awarded for an important contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region.

Hon Kiri Allan (second from L) with representatives of organisations and agencies that responded to a 2022 mission to find a missing Milford Sound tramper.

The multi-day mission involved multiple organisations and agencies including Southland's Southern Lakes Helicopters, Milford Sound Volunteer Fire Brigade, Fiordland LandSAR, Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Southland (AREC) and Southern District Police, as well as the Dunedin LandSAR, Wakatipu LandSAR, Wanaka LandSAR Canyon/Swiftwater Team, Police National Dive Squad, Action Helicopters and Paul Rogers.

Secretary of Transport and Chief Executive of Te Manatū Waka, Audrey Sonerson, said it was a complex operation spanning five days.

She described it as an exceptional display of team work, leadership and dedication in a remote part of Aotearoa New Zealand.

NZ Police Manager for Operations and Emergency Management, Inspector Craig Rendel, said Police SAR experts work with networks of volunteers and specialist organizations to reunite the lost, missing, or injured with their loved ones.

“These awards are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams who work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those in need."

"Every team member and individual who was acknowledged at [the NZSAR] awards should feel incredibly proud of the recognition they have received.”

CLICK HERE for more information including links to the full list of award recipients.