Dan has been a member of Auckland Land Search & Rescue for over 12 years and has been involved in multiple searches in both urban and bush settings as well as being involved in a number of searches for clients.

He brings to the Trust new ideas and enthusiasm for growing and ensuring the sustainability of WanderSearch in the greater Auckland region.

Welcome Dan

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With the formation of a National Co-ordinator role, employed by NZ Land Search & Rescue in conjunction with WanderSearch NZ Charitable Trust, WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust say a sad farewell to Delanie who has taken up the National role.   Delanie leaves us on 19^th January and we wish her well in her new position.

With the departure of Delanie, we take this opportunity to welcome Alana Shaskey to our team as new Program Manager for WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust.

Alana comes to us with a wealth of experience including fundraising, training and customer service.   She has had 20 years’ experience as a Search & Rescue volunteer starting in Dunedin.     She has been involved with the WanderSearch program in Auckland for several years and has experience with the tracking equipment assisting in tracking clients who have been reported missing.

Welcome Alana!

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The answer is simple.  We wanted a tracking device which was small, had a long battery life and was easy to use.

Prior to settling on our current tracking device, we interrogated the internet both nationally and internationally to see what type of tracking devices were being used around the world and what their specifications were. 

Most of the devices which we found were GPS based with some of them set up as a two-way system in that the client could press a button on the device and be connected to a pre-programmed phone number of a family member / care-giver or a call-centre which could assist them.   For those who were cognitively aware enough to be able to do this, then these systems would have been appropriate.  

Unfortunately, not all of the clients’ we were dealing with were capable of understanding that they had to push a button to call for help and therefore we dis-regarded these devices.    

We tested a few devices however we found various drawbacks with them so we decided we had to set certain parameters for tracking devices to meet before we would look at them seriously.

The main parameters we wanted were:

1.      Small enough not to be intrusive,

2.      Long battery life – in excess of three / four months,

3.      Easy to operate.

Seeing the stress which the care-givers / families were experiencing caring for a person living with dementia, we decided we wanted a device which had a long battery life which meant that the care-givers / families didn’t have to remember to re-charge the device every few days.   Plus we wanted something that would not be obvious when worn by the client and which the client would be happy to wear.

Our research took us all over the world where different devices were being used by various agencies.   In America, the main device at that time was used by Project Life-Saver.   The downside of this device was the size which was about that of a cigarette packet which did not meet our parameter with regards to size.

During our research, we became aware of a device being used in the Nelson area called WandaTrak.  It was a New Zealand produced system using radio frequency (line of sight) and is similar to what is used by the Department of Conservation for tracking animals in the wild.

We looked further into this device and found that the battery life exceeded what we were wanting in that it exceeded six months and it was also small enough to be worn comfortably by the client and came in several designs.    The other benefit was that the families didn’t need to remember to re-charge the batteries as we would be exchanging the device for a new one every six months.   

This system was introduced into Auckland in 2009 as a trail and we have been using it ever since.  

To date there have been in excess of 1000 referrals for our services, we have expanded into 71 Care Facilities within the greater Auckland region as well as private homes and there have been in excess of 370 searches for clients who had been reported missing.

While the WanderSearch Auckland Tracking program doesn’t suit everyone, it has provided ‘peace of mind’ for countless families and care-givers.

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Golden Bridge Exhibition Ltd, in conjunction with Xiyangyang NZ Travel, organised the Expo which was primarily targeting the NZ Chinese community and showcasing the various outdoor activities available throughout New Zealand as well as how to stay safe while enjoying our great outdoors.   Exhibitors included travel and tourism agencies, Dunedin Railways, AJ Hackett Bungy, several exclusive estates including Kourawhero Estate and Kokako Lodge as well as Nomad Safaris and various other organisations from all around New Zealand.

WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust teamed up with NZ Search & Rescue (SAR) and Auckland Police SAR for a combined exhibit promoting not only the WanderSearch Tracking program but also promoting the Safety Code for Outdoors including what equipment to take with you when you go for a day walk in our beautiful bush and the correct clothing that should be worn.

With approximately 10,500 people visiting the expo over the weekend, it was an ideal opportunity to interact with the NZ Chinese community and to raise their awareness of how to stay safe in the outdoors as well as to inform them about the WanderSearch Auckland tracking program, who it is for and how it can benefit and support the families dealing with people living with a cognitive impairment.

Each day we had a raffle which contained items that would be useful when going outdoors and the raffles were drawn as the event closed each day.   The winner of Saturday’s raffle was Joy Xu who was still at the event and was able to collect the raffle herself.   Zhen Xu won Sunday’s raffle and this was delivered to him that afternoon.   Both people were very happy with winning the raffles and we hope they enjoy all the goodies that were in the baskets.

For more information on the Safety Codes while Outdoors, Boating or on the Water, visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz

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“Delanie Halton has been involved in the WanderSearch programme since 2009.   She is a 20-year-long member of Auckland LandSAR and a member of its line rescue team.   Delanie is also the administrator for WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust, involved in applying for and sourcing corporate and private funding.   She has helped establish standards for equipment and research that are presently being reviewed by WanderSearch New Zealand to become part of the national standards.   She has also comprehensively researched wanderers to establish patterns in New Zealand, and to determine wanderers’ needs within the community.   Delanie has built relationships with the Auckland District Health Board and facilitated the introduction and training of the WanderSearch programme into its high care unit at Auckland Hospital.     She has liaised with rest homes, highlighting what is needed to support potential wanderers and their caregivers.     She has assisted other WanderSearch entities in setting up and applying for funding, and with the continued training of their individual programmes.    Delanie keeps New Zealand informed of issues and trends through her monthly newsletters, has developed the Auckland WanderSearch Charitable Trust website, and is currently working on a national WanderSearch version.     Delanie has continually supported the Auckland Police SAR squad and conducts WanderSearch training at Search and Rescue(SAR) Exercises.   She has developed extensive partnerships within Auckland with key stakeholders and actively promotes SAR and WanderSearch at public talks, promotions and displays.”

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The day was an opportunity for the public to get up and close to the different groups, ask questions and find out more about them and what they do.

WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust were co-located with the Police Search & Rescue team in the main car park and we enjoyed a steady stream of visitors throughout the day wandering through our displays and asking questions not only about the WanderSearch tracking program but also about Search & Rescue in general.

Members of the public were surprised to learn how busy the Search & Rescue team in Auckland were and were even more surprised when told how many people living with cognitive impairment’s such as dementia or autism, were reported missing each day in Auckland.

The public were kept entertained throughout the day with singers, dancers and performer doing their act on the big stage in the main car park and the static display which drew the biggest crowds happened to be the huge yellow Airport Fire truck, which all the children (and some adults) had the opportunity to sit inside.

Other Police displays which drew big crowds were the decaled Tractor as well as the equipment used by Team Policing including shields and a display of weapons however the highlight of the day had to go to the Police Dog display with the show stealer being the eight week old puppy who showed that he has all the right ingredients to make a good Police dog when he grows up.

Generally a great day enjoyed by all and the rain co-operated and held off until after the event finished.

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The day is an opportunity for the public to be involved in Talk and Discussion panels with guest speakers including Associate Professor Bronwen Connor, Centre for Brain Research, Dr Jennifer Pereira, Neurologist Auckland City Hospital and Dr Rosamund Hill, Auckland District Health Board speaking on various subjects. The public (especially the children) were also encouraged to become involved with interactive science experiments as well as watching / listening to groups showing how dance and singing is healthy for the brain.

Forty support groups including WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust,  Alzheimers Auckland, Stroke Foundation, Blind Foundation and Autism NZ took the opportunity to be present where they were able to interact with the public by providing information and being available to talk with them.

Professor Richard Faull, Director of Centre for Brain Research was present throughout the day and he visited all the display stands and spoke to the groups present.   I took the opportunity to discuss with Professor Faull what our program was about and who it assisted as well as having a photo taken with him.

All in all it was a good day had by everyone and a wonderful opportunity for WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust to raise the public’s awareness of the WanderSearch Auckland Tracking Program.

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On Friday 2nd October we were involved in the Franklin Positive Aging Expo which is in its 10th year. It was held at the Pukekohe Indian Hall with over 90 stall holders managing displays ranging from clubs including the Stamp club, Probus and Bridge to equipment to assist the older person in their own home and advise on what assistance is available for the older person living within our community. The crowds were kept entertained throughout the day with Indian Cultural Dancing, Harmony Harps, Smiling Dragon Tai Chi and Old Tyme dancing as well as many others groups performing. To view the photos of this wonderful day go to: https://www.facebook.com/franklin.positiveageing

The following week (Friday 9th October) was the Rodney Aged Concern Your Health, Your Safety Expo held in the Orewa Community Hall. This is the second year that this expo has been running and it was an opportunity for the public to view what was available and to ask questions of all the stall holders. It was a lovely fine day and everyone was kept feed by the team of volunteers who managed the kitchen as well as the BBQ.

Our final display was held on Sunday 18th October with the Police Open Day for the general public. This event is held NZ wide and it was a wonderful opportunity for WanderSearch Auckland to showcase our program to the public. There was plenty of interest shown not only in our display but in all the other displays as well. A huge crowd turned up and there was a constant flow of people moving throughout all the displays. A wonderful day was had by all.

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Our first milestone is that since 2009, the WanderSearch Auckland Tracking equipment has been used in 270 searches in the greater Auckland region to assist in locating clients who have been reported missing.   Utilising this equipment to locate these clients has greatly reduced the stress experienced by the families of those who have gone missing as well as saving the missing person from potential harm.

Our second milestone is that our client numbers now exceed 250! For the last year our numbers have hovered around 245 clients however in August, due to an increased demand for our services, our numbers have broken through and past the 250 barrier and are steadily rising.

Not only have the numbers in the Auckland region increased, there has also been in increase in the number of enquiries received by the various groups throughout New Zealand who are managing this program in their respective areas.   This can be partially attributed to the wonderful work being done by the groups managing the program throughout NZ who are working with all the various organisations such as Alzheimers, Autism, NZ Police, DHB etc to raise the awareness of this program as well as the publicity that is occurring via local media outlets.

The public’s awareness of this program has also been increased with programs such as “Women in Blue” and “Police Ten-7” where this program has been mentioned / shown.

Watch this space to see what other milestones that this program is going to achieve!

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We are excited to have our own website up and running and since we have employed a full time co-ordinator, this program has been growing in leaps and bounds.

We would like to thank all our clients (both current and past) and their families and care givers for the support they have shown our program over the years and we look forward to being of assistance to you in the future.

A very big thank you also has to go to all the Trusts and Grant funders who have supported this program over the past six years. Without your support this program would not be as successful as it is today.

Thank You all for your support.

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