Northern Rescue Helicopter Limited CEO Ian MacPherson has thanked the Government for helping fund the purchase of more modern rescue helicopters.

The first of three late model helicopters (AW169s) will enter service in Ardmore, before transitioning to Whangārei later this year.

MacPherson says the rollout is being planned to ensure service continuity while enabling a smooth integration of the new aircraft into Northern Rescue’s Northland and Auckland rescue helicopter operations.

“The new models are replacing aircraft between fifteen and thirty years old, so this is a significant and carefully planned upgrade project that will improve efficiency and reduce maintenance costs,” says MacPherson.

“This is about the greater good of our communities and ensuring everyone has access to the best air ambulance technology and capability day and night. These new aircraft will ensure we are running an increasingly sustainable service with the best aeromedical technology available.”

MacPherson says in essence, the new aircraft boosts Northern Rescue’s ability to deliver high levels of clinical care and promote equity of access across Northland, particularly in remote regions.

“Additionally, the AW169 offers the opportunity to optimise the rear cabin as a sophisticated clinical environment that supports this model of care.

“That’s because our new helicopters have a larger rear cabin for our clinicians to work in. They have 360-degree access to patients. Our highly trained medical teams can be examining and treating patients from the moment they enter the aircraft which increases the likelihood of a full recovery.

“Support from the Health NZ-Te Whatu Ora’s /ACC Ambulance Team, the Government has made it possible for us to advance our aeromedical care across Auckland and Northland as we roll out these newer helicopters across our regions,” adds MacPherson.

In fact, the Government is supporting the replacement of nine rescue helicopters with newer aircraft around the country, by investing a total of $14.7 million ($8.2 million by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and $6.5 million by ACC) in the year to July 2025 - providing critical upgrades to ageing fleets.

MacPherson believes the arrival of newer helicopters represents a significant milestone for Northern Rescue.

“These new aircraft are essential to our operation as we continue to modernise our fleet and enhance aeromedical capability across the Northern Region. This upgrade is not only about embracing advanced technology, it also about acknowledging the unwavering community support that has shaped this service over decades.”

Adding to the need for new helicopters is the increasing demand for emergency air ambulance and rescue services.

“To meet this growing need, we are investing in aircraft that are safer, more reliable, and built for the complex demands of modern patient care. The AW169 enables our teams to respond rapidly and confidently across both urban and remote environments throughout Aotearoa New Zealand,” says MacPherson.

Northern Rescue Board Chair Paul Ahlers says that their team has done a great job working towards standardising the fleet.

“Transitioning to a single aircraft type streamlines training, maintenance, and operational procedures for our engineers, medical teams and pilots,” says Ahlers.

“This standardisation enhances safety, reduces downtime, and increases efficiency, allowing us to maximise the time we spend delivering our service to the benefit of our Northland, Auckland and Coromandel communities – we have many sponsors within these communities that offer us so much support throughout the year and allow our crews to deliver the high level of care the community deserves.

“This is a significant milestone in the ongoing development of our operation as we continue to utilise smarter and safer technology.”

Northern Rescue Chief Operating Officer and Critical Care Paramedic Karl Taylor says compared to the operation’s legacy BK117 and S76 helicopters, the AW169 introduces next-generation capabilities.

“That includes state-of-the-art avionics, improved poor weather performance, advanced weather and terrain awareness and more powerful engines. It represents a significant leap forward in safety, performance, and operational resilience,” says Taylor.

“The rear cabin has been specifically designed to support high-level clinical care, featuring increased space, enhanced lighting, improved access to equipment and that full 360-degree access to patients.”

Taylor says the new aircraft also increases the search and rescue capability over sea and land, which means our adventure hungry communities will be even safer than ever because of these new aircraft.

“The rear cabin is also fully reconfigurable, enabling helicopter winch operations and the transport of critically ill patients between hospitals by specialised hospital teams. Our crews are certainly looking forward to working on our new AW169s,” says Taylor.

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