Couple missing in Kahurangi National Park

more details about the search operation in general https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/121719880/the-puff-of-smoke-that-led-to-the-discovery-of-missing-trampers

claim here search could have been a million dollars https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/121723873/million-dollar-search-could-have-been-spared-for-30

I doubt it's as low as $20k suggested by Police, which is more likely the direct costs sustained by Police, but I think $1 million is probably just a number that guy made up. Anyone can "estimate" but it's not much use unless you can be clear about your source material and methodology and exactly what you're measuring.

NH90s are $6k to $8k per flying hour, although that was in 2006. Thanks, @TararuaHunter, for finding and posting the updated reference in another forum. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10391868 Given the wide range of numbers being thrown around for expense, it'd be useful to know for how many hours it was in the air during this particular operation.

article by Pat Deavol, Pat has been a tramper and mountaineer, one of NZ's most skilled mountaineers. "Tramping pair didn’t know what they were doing" https://www.thewanakasun.co.nz/news/13284-tramping-pair-didnt-know-what-they-were-doing.html

They didnt know where they were. Its safe to assume they didnt know which way to go. Also they had already found their own boot prints. In that situation all the good books say stay put. They should have had a beacon though

Just a random thought. How about offering a discount on hut passes etc for those that have arranged beacons

How about a minimum charge on those that haven't ?. St Johns has a part-charge of $98, even if someone else calls an ambulance for you. There IS a free-pass clause, but also an $800 minimum, and possibly mileage, in other circumstances. https://www.stjohn.org.nz/what-we-do/st-john-ambulance-services/part-charges/ ""Cost is never a factor over the safety and welfare of those needing assistance when determining the appropriate course of action or which resources to use. "While there is normally some monetary cost associated with a SAR operation, this is factored into and funded from within normal police operating budgets, so there is never any financial 'charge' imposed on anyone who is in distress and who needs our help," Theobald said."" https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/113478901/search-and-rescue-what-it-takes-to-bring-someone-home

you can buy them for $350 the economics are a fair bit better than they were.

They can be rented cheap as well. Of course if you never get lost or injured its wasted money (until you do)