Search and
Rescue (SAR) Workshop IV
SAR Coordination and Response in the Antarctic
Convened by the Council of Managers of
National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
Co-hosted by Antarctica New Zealand &
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand
(RCCNZ), Maritime New Zealand
14 May (Wellington)
and 16–17 May (Christchurch) 2019
New Zealand
First Announcement: First Announcement COMNAP SAR Workshop IV May 2019 New Zealand.pdf
On-line registration for delegates is NOW OPEN by way of the COMNAP Members Only webpage.
If you do not have a username and password to access, please email sec@comnap.aq to enquire.
On-line registration is required in order to attend.
Agenda, Programme, Schedule: COMNAP_SAR_workshopIV_draft_agenda_ver8_12February2019.pdf
Who should attend?
The SAR Workshop is a practical and technical workshop for those involved in day-to-day SAR, emergency response, and national Antarctic program activities in the Antarctic region. It is to improve our co-ordination and response capabilites in times of emergency in the Antarctic region.
Information for Participants
LOCATION
The SAR Workshop will take place in two cities in New Zealand. 
Day 1, is 14 May, and the workshop will be in the city of Wellington, New Zealand. Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and is located in what is called the "North Island". There are regular flights to Wellington. Day 1 is of particular interest to the Rescue Co-ordintation Centres (RCCs) and people who work at those RCCs. Wellington is the location of RCCNZ Maritime New Zealand. Therefore, if you wish to participate in Day 1 of the workshop, make your travel arrangements to arrive in Wellington, New Zealand on 13 May 2019.
Day 2, is 15 May, and this is considered a travel day. You can travel to New Zealand internationally on this day or transfer from Wellington to Christchurch on this day.
Days 3 and 4, are 16 and 17 May, and the workshop will be in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Christchurch is the largest city in what is known as the "South Island" of New Zealand. There are regular international flights to Christchurch and also regular flights from Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and is the usual international entry point into New Zealand). Days 3 and 4 will be of interest to all involved in Antarctic SAR. Christchurch is the location of Antarctica New Zealand and the COMNAP Secretariat. Therefore, if you wish to participate in Days 3 and 4 of the workshop, make your travel arrangements to arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand on 15 May 2019.
ACCOMMODATION / RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Wellington accommodation options:
QT Wellington
90 Cable Street, Wellington 6011
https://www.qthotelsandresorts.com/wellington
$NZ259.00 per night inlcuding breakfast
(reduced rate available for non-refundable booking)
InterContinental
Wellington
2 Grey Street, Wellington 6011
https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/wellington/wlggs/hoteldetail?
Approx. $NZ289.00 per night
Novotel Wellington Hotel
133 The Terrace, Wellington 6011
https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-3276-novotel-wellington/index.shtml
Approx. $NZ180.00 per night
You can find more information about Wellington at: https://www.wellingtonnz.com/discover/
Christchurch accommodation
options:
Focus Motel & Executive Suites
344 Durham Street North, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013
Approx. 5min walk (300m from venue)
Approx. $NZ160 per night
Fino Hotel and Suites
87 Kilmore St, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013
Approx. 4min walk (270m from venue)
Approx. $NZ160 per night
Crowne
Plaza Christchurch
764 Colombo St, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011
Approx.; 7min walk (600m from venue)
Approx; $NZ220 per night
Rydges
Latimer Christchurch
30 Latimer Square, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011
Approx. 16min walk (1.2km from venue)
Approx. $NZ240 per night
The George
50 Park Terrace, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013
Approx. 5min walks (350m from venue
Approx. $NZ375 per night
You can find more information about Christchurch at: https://www.christchurchnz.com/new-zealand/
Additional travel and accommodation information will be emailed to registrants when they complete the on-line registration process.
Time
Zone
New Zealand time is 13 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +13).
Climate
New Zealand's climate is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer,
fall and winter. May is fall and it can be cold in Christchurch and rainy in
Wellington.
Currency
The unit of New Zealand currency is the
New Zealand Dollar. Foreign banknotes can be exchanged at foreign
exchange banks and other authorized moneychangers including at the airports.
ATMs/Bank machines are very common on New Zealand streets and in shopping
areas and electronic transactions are very common. Visa, American
Express and MasterCard are widely accepted at major hotels, taxis, shops
and restaurants in the larger cities. Check with your credit card company for
details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be
available. Normal banking hours are Monday to Friday 09:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Electricity
Outlets for 220 volts (plug type I ). The Type I Electrical Plug
has two flat, oblique blades that form an inverted V, and a grounding
blade.

Contacts
Rescue
Coordination Centre NZ/RCC NZ / Local point of contact for Wellington
Greg Johnston
Senior Search and Rescue Officer
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre New
Zealand (JRCC NZ)
+64 457 78030
Greg.Johnston@maritimenz.govt.nz
Antarctica
New Zealand / Local point of contact for Christchurch
Simon Trotter
General Manager,
Antarctic Operations
Antarctica New Zealand
+64 3 3580246
(office)
s.trotter@antarcticanz.govt.nz
COMNAP
Michelle Rogan-Finnemore
Executive Secretary
www.comnap.aq
+64 3 3642169 (office)
michelle.finnemore@comnap.aq