Auckland Rescue

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was established in 1970 and is believed to be the first civilian aero-medical operation of its kind in the world. The service operates three Helicopters and crews, and a Rapid Response Vehicle as well assisting the Greater Auckland, Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel communities and beyond. Our flight crews consist of highly skilled pilots, air crew officers and paramedics. We are also the only civilian rescue helicopter service in New Zealand to fly with emergency trauma doctors on board and the only one to carry whole blood, allowing the patient to receive blood transfusions en route to hospital. Mission numbers continue to grow and now exceed 1,000 per year. Working 24/7, 365 days of the year, the rescue service covers the greater Auckland area, Gulf Islands and the Coromandel. The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust is a charitable organisation and relies primarily on the goodwill of these communities to ensure we can provide, vital, life-saving c...