A new national mountain radio service has been established that now coordinates and covers the majority of New Zealand from Stewart Island to the centre of the North Island including all main alpine environments.
The New Zealand Mountain Radio Service, established on 20 March 2010, combines:
- Canterbury Mountain Radio Service (CRMS) covering the whole of the South Island and Stewart Island
- Wellington Mountain Radio Service (WMRS)
- Central North Island Mountain Radio Service (CNIMRS)
- Hawkes Bay Mountain Radio Service (HBMRS) covering the majority of the North Island.
Initially a Mountain Radio Service was formed over 40 years ago in response to the increasing number of accidents in the bush and mountains and consisted of a number of local providers who voluntarily gave their time and radio support.
The new amalgamated NZ Mountain Radio Service will now provide an integrated service, assist in sharing knowledge and provide improved communication service to those entering the outdoors New Zealand wide.
Members of the NZ Mountain Radio Service supports safe participation in outdoor activities by encouraging recreation users to take a means of communication with them into the outdoors and providing radios for that purpose. The Service also maintains daily radio schedules to pass on weather and other relevant information such as details of the location and intentions of users and, where necessary, assisting with response to incidents in the outdoors.
The Mountain Safety Council CEO Darryl Carpenter said, "MSC supports this latest initiative of an amalgamated national radio service as this promotes safety in the outdoors tying in directly with the Outdoor Safety Code which suggests taking an appropriate means of communication. We applaud the dedicated group of volunteers who provide this important service to those participating in outdoor activities."
Outdoor Safety Code
- Plan your trip. Seek local knowledge, plan the route you will take and the amount of time you can reasonably expect it to take.
- Tell someone. Tell someone your plans and leave a date for when to raise the alarm if you haven't returned.
- Be aware of the weather. New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the forecast and expect weather changes.
- Know your limits. Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience.
- Take sufficient supplies. Make sure you have enough food, equipment and emergency rations for the worst case scenario. Take an appropriate means of communication.
