New search-and-rescue Helicopter Detector placements in New Zealand cover the North and South Islands.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (September 19, 2025) — RECCO, an international leader in advanced search-and-rescue technology, this month announced continued expansion of its global RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector network with the first placements in New Zealand.
The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector is a system that can help search-and-rescue teams find RECCO-equipped hikers and other outdoor users quickly and efficiently in the event they become lost. The RECCO SAR was launched in 2016, expanding the system’s applications from finding victims involved in avalanches to all-season search-and-rescue missions year-round.
Two RECCO SAR units have now been deployed in New Zealand, each centrally placed on the North and South Islands, and are now available for the use of search-and-rescue teams throughout the country.
“We’ve been quietly working away in the background for some time now to get the RECCO SAR into New Zealand and it’s awesome to see it finally deployed and available to rescuers.” said Andrew Hobman of Avalanche NZ Ltd, who is also a RECCO representative and instructor in New Zealand.
The unit on the North Island is placed at The Central North Island Emergency Management Center at Waimarino, Te Whare Whakaora o Waimarino. Having the RECCO unit based at Tongariro National Park will provide a central deployment location for search-and-rescue teams across the North Island.
“This technology adds another level of capability to our specialist SAR teams. Where a person is equipped with a RECCO reflector, this system has the potential to help us quickly locate missing people in challenging terrain, whether in the bush, alpine environments, or even under avalanche debris,” said Senior Constable Conrad Smith, New Zealand National Park Police, adding: “It’s always important to be prepared, carry the right gear, take a personal locator beacon and other communication device, and let others know of your intentions.”
RECCO reflectors are not a replacement for personal locator beacons (PLBs), and should be seen as a compliment to them, providing an additional way of being searchable that does not require a battery or need to be turned on. RECCO also recommends that people inform others of the equipment they are carrying, which can be valuable information to rescue teams in case of an emergency.
Andrew Hoyle, leader of the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation based at Waimarino in the central North Island, said the RECCO system will not only help find missing persons but also help to reduce risk to rescuers responding to a callout, since it can help reduce the number of people exposed to risk during field missions.
“We used it successfully this week at the local SAREX [Search and Rescue Exercise] and managed to locate at least one target in areas that couldn’t be searched safely.”
The unit on the South Island is placed at the GCH Aviation’s Christchurch Rescue Helicopter base, where the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopters are located.
“This could be a real life-saver when we are searching for people in the bush or in an avalanche,” said Rick Knight, Air Rescue Crew Chief at GCH Aviation. “Right now, Christchurch will be home to the only South Island detector, making it a critical asset for South Island operations.”
Regional rescue teams in Nelson, Greymouth, Wanaka, Queenstown and Canterbury underwent training in September, and the South Island unit is now operational and available to support search-and-rescue missions year-round.
The detector arrived on the South Island on Sept. 5 and was immediately deployed the next day to help the SAR Response Team in Greymouth try to locate a missing man on the West Coast.
“The arrival of this technology represents a major step forward for search and rescue in New Zealand, strengthening the ability of SAR teams to respond swiftly and effectively in life-threatening and time critical situations”, said Senior Sergeant Mark Kirkwood, West Coast SAR Coordinator, adding: “It’s a game changer.”
The RECCO SAR helicopter detector can quickly search large areas, covering a square kilometer in six minutes. Along with helping reduce search times for missing people, the helicopter-based detector can reduce the time and risk exposure for rescue workers during missions.
“Since the 1990s, our handheld detectors have been used for avalanche rescue operations in New Zealand ski areas, and now we’re excited to expand RECCO’s capabilities to year-round search and rescue. With two operational helicopter detectors now in service, we’re proud to support rescue teams across the country,” said Fredrik Steinwall, CEO of RECCO.
RECCO Reflectors are integrated into apparel, helmets, backpacks, running vests, shoes and climbing harnesses by more than 150 brand partners, including brands like Arc’teryx, Helly Hansen, POC and Camelbak. A complete list of partner brands is available at recco.com. Reflectors are also available as stand-alone products to be attached to a helmet or a backpack or worn as a belt.
“The two-week training and deployment campaign in New Zealand has been a great success and we’d like to extend a huge thanks for the overwhelming support and positive response from rescue teams throughout the country.” said Craig Donovan, Head of Detector Operations at RECCO.
There are currently 45 RECCO SAR Helicopter Detectors globally, with 14 located in North America, 28 units across Europe, one unit in Nepal and now two in New Zealand.
About RECCO
RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm). More info at recco.com.
Media Contact:
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