Freezing temperatures, rugged terrain and real-world scenarios were all part of a recent high-country training exercise for Selwyn’s NZRT21 light rescue team.

The nationally accredited volunteer team, which sits within Selwyn’s Emergency Management network, spent two nights in the high country, at the back of Flock Hill Station, putting their skills into action.

Staying overnight in sub-zero conditions, with temperatures dropping to -3.5 degrees, the team worked through a series of realistic emergency response scenarios designed to simulate what could happen after a major event like an earthquake.

The exercise was largely planned and led by the team itself, reflecting the experience and capability within the group. With around 34 members, including new recruits, the training also helped build confidence and connections across the team.

Activities covered a wide range of essential skills, including helicopter safety and operations, ski field orientation, 4WD driving and wide-area damage assessments. The team also worked alongside the Castle Hill Community Response Team, which set up an Incident Control Point at the Castle Hill Community Centre to support the scenario.

Selwyn Head of Emergency Management Al Lawn said seeing the team in action was a reminder of the commitment behind Selwyn’s volunteer network.

“You see people giving up their weekends, heading into tough conditions, and doing it because they genuinely care about their communities. Exercises like this aren’t easy, but they build the kind of resilience and trust that really matters when something does go wrong,” he said.

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Last modified: 25 May 2026 2:58pm