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

Our Services

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

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

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

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

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.

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