Supporting the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter provides a vital service to thousands

Available 24/7, 365 days a year, the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter responds to medical emergencies, accidents, search and rescue operations, and hospital transfers.

Each flight crew includes a pilot, an air crew officer, and two clinicians — typically critical care paramedics or a combination of a paramedic and a pre-hospital and retrieval medicine doctor. This highly trained team brings world-class expertise and rapid response capabilities to every mission.

Established in 1970, the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter is believed to be the world’s first civilian aeromedical rescue service. It began with a single Hiller 12E helicopter operated by volunteer surf lifesavers in Piha. Today, the service operates three helicopters and rapid response vehicles from bases at Ardmore Airport and Whitianga.

While their primary coverage area includes Auckland and the Coromandel, they can be called to assist as far away as White Island or Christchurch, depending on the mission and availability of other services. Their ongoing work is supported by the generosity of the community they serve.

Pronto Hire Visits the ardmore base

Pronto’s General Manager, Bronson Flett, and Marketing Manager, Vanja Wood, had the privilege of visiting the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter base at Ardmore. Thanks to the support of our incredible customers, we proudly raised $1,480 through our Hire to Save Lives campaign — a donation we were honored to deliver in person as a gesture of gratitude for the team’s life-saving work.

During the visit, we had the opportunity to meet the highly skilled medical crew, rescue personnel, and pilots, explore their impressive fleet of helicopters, and gain a deeper understanding of the vital service they provide to communities across the region.

Their incredible impact

In 2024, this team covered 1045 missions across the region, including:

• 357 Medical Emergencies
• 334 Accidents
• 41 Search & Rescues
• 57 Rapid Response Vehicle
• 256 Medical Transfers

 But they need your help to keep this service going!

The Auckland Helicopter Rescue Trust requires around $6M in donations from the community every year to continue their vital work.

Donate now to help save a life

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter provides an essential air emergency service where every second counts.
Click here to make your own donation today.