By joining the Hamilton SAR Group you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Assist others to save the lives of those who may be lost or injured in the outdoors
• Share the company of a great bunch of like minded outdoor enthusiasts
• Extensive training opportunities including a Diploma qualification
• Substantial discounts at sport shops in Hamilton
• Monthly newsletters

If you have an interest in the outdoors and significant bush experience from tramping or hunting then the Group would like to hear from you.

We have two roles available:

• First response – search team members
• Base support – the people who use the radios, computers etc

When you complete the application form you should indicate the role that interests you.

The Assessment

An assessment weekend is run for those aspiring to be First Response members. This is an overnight camp to assess your gear, bushcraft and navigation skills.

This assessment usually runs from midday Saturday to midday Sunday and is held at Pirongia when there are sufficient applicants.

We accept or decline participants as members after the assessment based on the following question:

If this person was separated from his/her team in deep bush during the night, would he/she become an asset or liability to the search at that time?

Those who successfully complete the assessment become probationary members.

Download the following PDF files for more details and the application form.

Application Form 
Information for Prospective Members 
Information re Assessment Weekend

The Base Support Roles

There are many tasks and roles associated with the management of a search which require skilled people. These tasks/roles include:

• Radio operators
• Radio technicians
• Computer operators
• Computer network administrators
• Welfare specialists

Training courses are available for some of these roles.

Although Base Support people are encouraged to attend the assessment weekends this is not a requirement.

For further information contact Russell Lamb phone 07-856-6471 or John Twizell phone 07-856-2844.