Northern Rescue Helicopter’s Northland and Auckland-based crews completed well over 100 missions in just 16 days over the frantic Christmas and New Year period.

111 missions alone were undertaken from December 22, 2025, to January 5, 2026. A further 19 flights were completed on January 6 and 7 by the Northland and Auckland Northern Rescue Helicopters.

Northern Rescue Helicopter Chief Operating Officer Karl Taylor, a former Critical Care Paramedic, cites the workload as hectic, due to serious road crashes, water and land-based accidents, medical complaints and interhospital transfers.

In acknowledging the hard work of Northern Rescue’s engineers, pilots and paramedics, Taylor is also praising the collaborative efforts of all first responders for keeping Northlanders and visitors to Te Tai Tokerau safe in recent weeks.

“We are proud to stand alongside our fellow first responders and work for the good of the community day and night,” says Taylor.

“What is important to note is that first responders see each other as equals, there to deliver high levels of care they are so well trained to provide - when people in our community need help the most.”

Taylor cites recent serious vehicle crashes on the Brynderwyns and at Pukenui in the Far North as prime examples of first responder collaboration. Numerous patients were flown to Kaitaia, Whangārei and Auckland Hospitals in the aftermath of the two incidents – some in critical and serious condition.

“Everyone played a part in helping those injured, from the motorists first on scene who helped, to Police, Fire and Emergency NZ, Hato Hone St John and our Northern Rescue Helicopters.

“We had Northern Rescue Helicopters from our Northland and Auckland bases attend both road crashes and fly injured patients to hospital. Obviously, the Whangārei-based choppers were first on scene given the location but once our Auckland choppers landed the crews both worked together as one because we are a combined operation covering from Coromandel to Cape Rēinga.

“I think it’s really important people understand that the Whangārei and Auckland rescue helicopter operations merged some years back and we are one combined service still with the same mission – to provide the best patient care due to all crews being trained to the same high level of expertise.”

In recent weeks numerous Northern Rescue Helicopter flights have involved interhospital transfers throughout Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and other parts of the North Island where support has been required.

Taylor says the Northern Rescue team is also immensely grateful to the community for its ongoing support and generosity towards Northern Rescue Helicopters.

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