Thank you

The Team from Wellington District Police

Wellington Police would like to thank Akatarawa residents for your patience over the weekend as we conducted our annual Search and Rescue exercise.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the 4WD movements and noise from the helicopter activity. While neighbours near the helicopter landing zone were advised of the exercise, residents further afield were also affected.

The exercise involved Police Search and Rescue personnel, Wellington LandSAR volunteers, New Zealand Airforce, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Amateur Radio and the Cross-Country Vehicle Club.

Training exercises provide and important opportunity for SAR personnel to learn new skills and test themselves in the environment and conditions likely to be encountered in a real search. As it happened, teams were deployed into the Tararua Ranges on Friday evening for a seriously injured tramper and again on Sunday for two people swept out to sea on the south coast of Wellington. Both rescues were successful.

We would like to thank local landowners that allowed the use of their properties and acknowledge the support of the Upper Hutt City Council who kindly made Karapoti Park available.