Auckland Rescue Helicopters Trust

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter is one of New Zealand’s longest-running and most recognizable aeromedical services, operating since 1970. It was the first dedicated rescue helicopter service in the country, paving the way for similar units nationwide. Today, the service responds to more than 1,200 missions each year, ranging from medical emergencies and search-and-rescue operations to inter-hospital transfers. Equipped with advanced HEMS-configured helicopters and crews trained in winching, night operations, and intensive-care retrieval, the Auckland Westpac Rescue plays a crucial role in saving lives across the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel, Great Barrier Island, and the wider Auckland region.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) operates the Westpac Rescue Helicopters and is widely regarded as a pioneer of aeromedical rescue in New Zealand. Founded in 1990 to provide stable long-term funding and governance, the Trust oversees one of the busiest HEMS units in the country, supporting 1,000–1,200 missions annually across Auckland, the Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island, and the Coromandel Peninsula. ARHT was also the first in New Zealand to introduce full-time paramedic/critical-care crewed helicopters, and it continues to innovate with advanced winch operations, night vision goggle (NVG) capability, and upgraded rescue equipment—making it a cornerstone of emergency response in the region.