New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards

There are two categories of SAR related activity covered by the NZSAR Awards:

• Operational Activity. This category is for nominations relating to a specific SAR operation(s) that have occurred during the calendar year.

• Support Activity. This category is for nominations that do not relate to specific SAR operation(s) but to the wider range of SAR related activities (for example training, prevention, and long service).

Levels of recognition

There are two levels of recognition for each category in the NZSAR Awards programme.

• Gold Awards. Commencing in 1999, this annual award honours the person, group or organisation that has made a very significant contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during that year or over a sustained period. Gold Awards can be presented in both the Operational and Support categories.

• Certificates of Achievement. Commencing in 2008, certificates are awarded to people, groups or organisations that have made an important contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during that year or over a sustained period. Certificates of Achievement can be presented in both the Operational and Support categories.

If, in the opinion of the NZSAR Council, there is no nomination of sufficiently high standard to qualify, a decision may be made not to present a Gold Award or Certificate for any given year.