The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter has once again proven to be a vital lifeline for communities across the Waikato, King Country and Coromandel regions. In 2025, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew carried out 745 lifesaving missions, responding to emergencies ranging from serious medical events and accidents to search and rescue operations in remote and challenging environments.

Behind every mission is the generosity of donors, sponsors, and supporters who make it possible for the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter to take off at a moment’s notice. Thanks to the communities’ support, the rescue crew of highly skilled Pilots, Air Crew Officers, and Critical Care Flight Paramedics were able to deliver urgent medical care to patients when every minute mattered.

A Year of Impact:

• 745 missions completed in total in 2025

• 53 patients transported to hospital for urgent care

• 48 patients transported following motor vehicle accidents

• 114 rural, remote, or search and rescue operations completed

• 413 interhospital transfers undertaken

• 117 miscellaneous missions carried out

Behind every statistic is a person in need - this overview highlights a few of the missions the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew flew throughout 2025.

On the first day of 2025, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter attended to three different patients requiring urgent medical attention. The first being male in critical condition in Whangamata who was stabilised on the scene and flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew then attended to a male patient on Mount Tauhara who was experiencing a serious medical event and required urgent treatment. The onboard Critical Care Flight Paramedic treated the patient at the scene, and the patient was then flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

The day ended with the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter being dispatched to Tauranga Hospital for a female suffering from a medical condition. She was flown to Waikato Hospital where she could receive further medical treatment.

The following month remained busy with the crew carrying out 69 missions. One of those included the crew being tasked to Marokopa for a male who sustained significant burn injuries. The patient was treated on scene by the onboard Critical Care Flight Paramedic for approximately 50 minutes before being airlifted to Waikato Hospital for further medical treatment.

March was the busiest month of the year, with 75 missions performed. These ranged from winch rescues, including one on March 5th when the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Mangatarata for a male who had sustained significant injuries in a remote environment. Due to the patient’s location, a winch extraction was required to retrieve him and provide the necessary medical care. He was then transported to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

The remaining months continued to be busy for the crew.

In June, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to a motor vehicle accident in Te Aroha, where a female patient had sustained serious injuries and was in critical condition. The crew stabilised her on scene for 30 minutes before airlifting her to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

On September 6th the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew attended another motor vehicle accident in Raglan, where a male had sustained serious injuries. The patient was flown to Waikato Hospital to receive further treatment.

On Christmas evening, December 25th, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Matapaua Bay (Coromandel) for a male who had sustained injuries following a fall. He was treated on scene and airlifted to Waikato Hospital to receive further care.

Each of these missions represents a life touched, a family supported, and a community strengthened. So, thank you for donating to the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, you have helped make these missions possible.

Every donation helps ensure that your rescue crew stays mission-ready all year round. Donate today to keep your rescue helicopter flying in 2026 - because you never know when you or a loved one might need it - https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/waikato-westpac-rescue helicopter/donate

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