It cost more than $56,000 for a 4WD group to be rescued from their stranded vehicles in Central Otago in May, it has been revealed.
Thirty-eight people, including several children, became trapped in 13 vehicles along Waikaia Bush Rd near Roxburgh after bad weather and vehicle breakdowns.
The group's vehicles were surrounded by snow 2.5 metres deep and temperatures reached freezing levels overnight, however they were rescued and arrived back to Roxburgh safe and well almost 26 hours later.
Otago Lakes area commander Inspector Olaf Jensen says the cost is never a factor over the safety of those needing help.
"The police's prime objective in any [search and rescue] operation is always the welfare and safe recovery of those who are missing, along with ensuring the safety of all of those involved in the search."
The total rescue cost was $56,927.53, which includes staff wages, costs of hiring equipment, vehicles and the local rescue helicopter.
"While there is normally some monetary cost associated with a [search and rescue] operation, this is factored into and funded from within normal police operating budgets, so there is never any financial charge imposed on anyone who is in distress and who needs our help," Insp Jenson says.
"I'm sure that if any of us were in trouble in the bush, on the water or in the air and needing rescue, we would be very grateful that cost does not factor into operational decision-making."
At a national level, the cost of police search and rescue operations has remained consistent over the last five years, averaging out at $2,945,338.71 per year.
Insp Jensen says volunteers make an invaluable contribution to SAR operations.
"The NZ Defence Force NH90 helicopter also assisted, which we were very grateful for."
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