Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust

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Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust

Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust offers a emergency and search and rescue helicopter service to Taranaki, New Zealand.

🚁 Supporting Taranaki, Saving Lives! 🚁
Providing a dedicated air rescue and emergency medical service for the Taranaki community . 🇳🇿
Together, we can save lives! 💙 We rely heavily on community support and donations.

08/06/2026

Keep your eyes peeled! 🚁

We have some new billboards around the Taranaki region - you can spot them in Stratford, Hawera, Opunake, near the Airport and Urenui. Big thanks to Kevin at Speedy Signs New Plymouth, they look awesome! 💛

04/06/2026

🚁 Trip to the Beach!

Your Taranaki Rescue Helicopter was tasked to rescue a fisherman near Taharoa, who had been washed off the rocks and into the sea.

Once recovered, the patient was found to be in a moderate condition, but had ingested a lot of sea water, so they were transported to Waikato Hospital for treatment. 🚁

PS: photo for impact - we totally know this isn’t Taharoa!

26/05/2026

On Sunday your Taranaki Rescue Helicopter responded to an incident at a farm in New Plymouth. After our CCFP assessed the patient, they were flown to Wellington Airport where they were handed over to Air1 Christchurch from Garden City Helicopters, to be taken for specialist assessment and treatment in Christchurch. 💛

Trips like this require co-ordination, planning and assets to get patients to the right place, for the right treatment, in a timely manner. Thanks to our colleagues from down south for the seamless handover. 🚁

25/05/2026

On Saturday afternoon your Taranaki Rescue Helicopter responded to an accident involving a vehicle that had rolled 50m down a hill near Ōhura. 🚁

Landing access for the helicopter was an issue, so our Intensive Care Paramedic was hover off-loaded to assist two patients at the scene.

After we landed at top of the hill – the Pilot and Air Crew Officer made their way down to the scene to assist. The first patient was hover-loaded and transported back to Taranaki Base Hospital. While the Taupō-based Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was called in to assist and transported the remaining second patient to Waikato Hospital.

Thanks Taupō for the assist! Philips Search & Rescue Trust 💛

23/05/2026

No matter the challenge, your Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Crew is always ready to provide lifesaving care and get patients to the treatment they urgently need. 💛

These photos were taken last week when the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter was tasked with an urgent transport for a patient suffering a serious medical condition. 🚁

We’d also like to acknowledge TOI Foundation and Taranaki Electricity Trust (TET) for their longstanding support of the Taranaki community and their ongoing commitment to helping keep this vital service operational.

You can also help us keep this life saving service in the sky by supporting us today!

https://loom.ly/hGi8570

20/05/2026

Yesterday the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter responded to an early morning transfer for a critically ill patient. The flight was from New Plymouth to Waikato Hospital and with this amazing weather there was a very calm west coast for once! 🚁

ACO Ed also captured a video of Kawhia Harbour and boats crossing the bar on the return home 💛.

19/05/2026

On Sunday night, your Taranaki Rescue Helicopter crew completed a critical patient transfer from Hāwera Hospital to Taranaki Base Hospital using Night Vision Goggles (NVG). 🚁💛

These goggles make the night turn into day and are vital to help your Rescue Team get through the darkness safely!

07/05/2026

Did you know…

The Taranaki Rescue Helicopter BK117 has a service ceiling of around 15,000 feet. That’s close to DOUBLE the height of Taranaki Maunga! 🏔️

Though, we’re usually far more interested in what’s happening closer to the ground. 🚁

05/05/2026

Patient stories are so important for your Taranaki Rescue Helicopter because they help us tell real stories from those impacted by our lifesaving service. 💛🚁

We’d love to hear from people in our region who are willing to share their experience. Whether it was a lifesaving mission, daring search and rescue operation, or a critical patient transfer, we want to hear your story.

Send us a private message or email us at [email protected]

28/04/2026

A special moment written by Pilot Chris:

I had the absolute honour of attending the Okato ANZAC Day civic service as a guest speaker - a truly special occasion that brings a community together in remembrance and respect.

Being able to share the story of our rescue helicopter and the work our crew does, in a setting that reflects service and sacrifice, felt incredibly meaningful.

While I was there, I caught up with Nicci from the Okato Fire Brigade, who generously presented us with donations raised through their Te Ruru Charity Op Shop table at the recent community market. It’s gestures like this that remind us just how deeply our community stands behind what we do.

Thank you to everyone in Okato for the warm welcome. It was a privilege to stand alongside you all on such an important day.

Chris
Base Manager & Pilot
Taranaki Rescue Helicopter

Address

Hangar Complex, Taranaki Base Hospital
New Plymouth
4310

Telephone

+6467537620

Website

http://www.taranakirescue.org.nz/

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