Sixty of the 198 search and rescue operations carried out in 2008-09 were to tourists, mostly in the Wanaka and Te Anau areas, district operations manager Inspector Lane Todd said.
The total cost to the taxpayer for search operations was $349,454.
Of the operations, 143 were on land and 55 at sea.
"Total persons rescued were 221, with seven fatalities. Tourists accounted for 60 of the SAR operations with 58 land SARs and two marine SARs," Insp Todd said.
The bulk of the southern district's costs were for helicopters.
Operational costs did not include time spent by police involved in searches or the cost of hours contributed by SAR volunteers.
SAR operations are heavily reliant on helicopters because of their ability to respond quickly, transport staff to search areas and assist with the search and recovery of patients.
Police in the Southern district were fortunate to have good relationships with several highly-skilled operators with well-equipped helicopters available for SAR operations, especially in the alpine areas, where many SAR operations happened, he said.
Insp Todd declined to supply a breakdown of helicopter hours because it could reveal the hourly rates charged, information that was commercially sensitive, he said.
New Zealand Police does not seek to recoup costs from the subjects of SAR operations.
He also praised the hundreds of hours SAR volunteers put into operations, including 4WD clubs, radio clubs, tramping clubs and boating organisations.
"Police are very grateful for the time that volunteers assist with SAR operations, which on occasions can mean several hours and even days. The level of service that SAR organisations provide insures that SAR operations are run professionally and efficiently in our district," Insp Todd said.
SAR operations
Figures for 2008-09
> 198 operations carried out.
> 143 on land; 55 at sea.
> 60 to tourists.
> 221 persons rescued.
> 7 fatalities.
> Cost to taxpayer: $349,454.
