KEY POINTS:
An increasing number of tourists getting into difficulty in the bush is a growing concern for New Zealand's land-based Search and Rescue organisation.
The police-partner organisation released its annual report today which showed that 1824 volunteers were involved in 224 searches.
Deputy chairman of Search and Rescue's land-based operation, John Scobie, said most of the operations had successful outcomes, with one of the most complex ones being the rescue last month of caver Michael Brewer.
Dr Brewer fell and broke his pelvis while caving 400m underground near Takaka and was painstakingly lifted out in a mission involving nearly 100 rescuers over 29 hours.
Mr Scobie said 17 per cent of the operations involved tourists. There were increasing numbers of searches for Alzheimer's patients and others missing in an urban environment.
"We don't want to discourage people in any way, but we do want to encourage anyone going into the hills to be properly equipped, and to leave word of where they're intending to go, and how long they expect to be."
The organisation of over 2500 members are highly trained for search and rescue, organised into 75 regional and specialist groups.
- NZPA
