Horowhenua StarHorowhenua Search and Rescue (HoroSar) has six new radios thanks to a grant from the Horowhenua New Zealand Trust.
The grant has helped HoroSar replace six VHF units that have come to the end of their usefulness, enhancing the team’s ability to respond swiftly and safely in critical situations.
The volunteer organisation responds to more than 10 operations annually across the Tararua Ranges, coastal areas, and surrounding urban communities. Their work includes searching for missing trampers, wander searches for people with dementia or autism, and providing safety communications for local adventure events.
From left, Jo Mason of Horowhenua NZ Trust, Rachael Mills of Horowhenua Search and Rescue, and Rebecca Kilsby-Halliday(HNZT), with the new radios donated by the trust. Photo supplied
HoroSAR spokesperson Rachael Mills says the radios are being issued to the unit’s most active members, enabling them to deploy directly from home rather than returning to Levin Police Station to collect gear.
“This grant came at exactly the right time,” Rachael says. “Six of our older radios had become inoperable. These replacements have not only filled that immediate gap but are helping us move toward a more responsive and mobile model of deployment.”
HoroSAR is also establishing a new headquarters and training facility on land gifted by the Levin A&P Association. The new base will provide secure storage, a radio operations room, a training space, and areas for family liaison during critical incidents – an improvement over the current setup based out of the police station.
As Horowhenua’s population grows the demand on search and rescue services will inevitably rise. Support from the Horowhenua New Zealand Trust has therefore become critical to ensure that local volunteers remain well equipped and ready to respond when every second counts.
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