High up in the search results

Richie Stokes and Kevin Taylor celebrate the milestone.

Richie Stokes has clocked up four decades with Taupō Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR). 

By Chris Marshall 

He joined the group in January 1986, bringing a strong hunting and outdoors background that helped strengthen search and rescue capability across the central North Island. 

Before today’s formal field-team competency framework, he helped train newer volunteers in bushcraft, navigation, survival, tracking, and clue and sign awareness. 

His knowledge of the Kaimanawa Ranges, parts of the Kaweka Forest, Pureora Forest and Kaingaroa Forest is widely regarded by fellow members as exceptional, says Taupō LandSAR stalwart Kevin Taylor. 

As his involvement grew, Stokes moved into leadership and Incident Management Team roles, including operations, planning, welfare, family liaison and logistics. 

He has also served continuously on the Taupō LandSAR committee for more than 30 years and was chairman for about four years in the early 2000s. 

Stokes’ influence has extended through the volunteers he has mentored, Taylor says, including Shanan Harrington, who later became a long-serving Taupō member and chairman. 

Among the many operations Stokes supported were a 1990s Kaimanawa search near Clement Mill Road and Operation Mangatawai in 2017, one of the largest searches undertaken by the Taupō and Tūrangi groups. 

In recent years, he has continued to attend training, support new members and help wherever needed – whether in the Incident Management Team or behind the barbecue during SAREX exercises. 

Fellow members describe him as a man of few words, a steady encourager and an elder statesman whose presence at search bases gives confidence to those around him. 

After nearly 40 years, Stokes is considered part of the fabric of Taupō Land Search and Rescue, with a contribution fellow volunteers regard as incalculable. 

Stokes is one of four local volunteers who have been recognized recently for their long service.  Last year Taupō LandSAR member Karen Forsythe was presented with the same award and this year Tūrangi members, Alan Rafferty and Arthur Scott were also honoured.  They received their awards at the Tūrangi LandSAR AGM earlier this year. 

Stokes was presented with an award marking his significant contribution locally by national board chair Charlotte Aronsen, during a ‘meet the local LandSAR volunteers’ evening hosted by the board.