Search and rescue teams received a Gold Award at Parliament for a 20-day operation to find Argentine tourist Hector Gaston Artigau, who disappeared while walking the Rob Roy Track on Waitangi Day 2025.
The award recognised Wanaka Search and Rescue, Land Search and Rescue Search Dogs, Aspiring Helicopters, Police National Dive Squad, and Otago Lakes Police SAR Squad. Volunteers contributed over 800 hours to the operation, which deployed search dogs Lochy and Bandit in its final stages.
Artigau has never been found. Associate Transport Minister James Meager, presenting the awards, said volunteer efforts deserved recognition "even when our loved ones are not brought home".