New Zealand Rescue Helicopters

History Tracking

There isnt any national funding for New Zealand rescue helicopters; it is mostly provided by local communities and friendly corporate sponsors. Most regions have an organisation to task and maintain one or more helicopters, usually established as a charitable trust with a board to provide oversight and governance. It is convenient for helis_com to group them together, here.

News

Rotortrade Delivers Three Airbus H145D3s to NZ Air Ambulance Fleet

May 14, 2026 · Rotortrade has delivered three pre-owned Airbus H145D3 helicopters to Search and Rescue Services (SRSL), supporting the expansion of New Zealand’s emergency air ambulance and medical response capability.
Two AW169 Helicopter Simulators for NZ Northern Rescue

Mar 5, 2026 · Northern Rescue Helicopter acquires two Entrol AW169 simulators with advanced enwall LED visual system, enhancing mission-critical search and rescue training in New Zealand.
Former REGA H145 Air Ambulances Arrive in New Zealand

Jan 6, 2026 · B&H Worldwide has completed the air transport delivery of the last two former Swiss REGA H145 air ambulance helicopters to New Zealand, where they will be operated by GCH Aviation on behalf of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
New Entrol H145 Simulator for New Zealand Air Ambulances

Apr 21, 2025 · New Zealand air ambulance operator Search and Rescue Services Limited (SRSL) acquired an Entrol H145 FNPT II MCC simulator for its new H145D3 fleet
Four Airbus H145 Helicopters for New Zealand Rescue Service

Mar 25, 2025 · New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Services (SRSL) ordered 4 Airbus H145 air ambulance helicopters
Another AW169 for New Zealand Northern Rescue Helicopter

Nov 6, 2024 · Rotortrade announced the sale of a pre-owned Leonardo AW169 helicopter to Northern Rescue Helicopter for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations in New Zealand, as part of its plan to operate a fleet of five aircraft by 2025

May 13, 2024 · Two Leased AW169s for New Zealand Northern Rescue
Jul 24, 2023 · NEST S-76 Juliet Retires to MOTAT
Sep 13, 2021 · NZ Taranaki Rescue to Replace Helicopter

Aug 13, 2019 · New Medical H145 for New Zealand
Oct 18, 2011 · Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust Orders Two AW169s

Units

		Abrev	From
Air Medical Services
Auckland Rescue Helicopters Trust		ARHT	1970
CAARL & SRSL
Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust
Eastland Community Trust		ECT
Northern Rescue Helicopter
Northland Rescue Helicopter	Northland Emergency Services Trust	NEST	1988
Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust		ORHT
Philips Search and Rescue Trust		PSRT
Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust

Locations

1999-	Taranaki Base Hospital Heliport	NZJQ
1988-	Whangarei	NZWR
	Taieri Airfield	NZTI
	Taupo Airport	NZAP
	North Shore	NZNE

Models

2025-	Airbus H145D3
2018-	AgustaWestland AW169
	Sikorsky S-76
	Bell 206
	Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil
	Kawasaki bk117
	MBB Bk117

Operations

14 Nov 20162016

23 Nov 20162016

Kaikoura Earthquake relief operations

@ (optional)