Police say nothing stopping FENZ from 'investing in their own helicopter' after frontline tensions (opens original article in a new tab)

Police initially claimed the search and rescue system was functioning well but later agreed to a major overhaul following internal disputes between agencies.

• Police told minister Mark Mitchell that the SAR system works well and needed no changes, but later agreed to a system overhaul.
• FENZ frontline crews repeatedly asked managers to intervene with police over perceived sidelining, according to internal emails.
• The overhaul aims to give Maritime NZ's RCC more control over helicopters while police coordinate 2000 operations annually.
• Police denied sidelining FENZ but acknowledged some specialist assets were not always deployed effectively.