The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter has once again proven to be a vital lifeline for communities across the Bay of Plenty. In 2025, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter crew carried out 619 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 Aerocool Rescue Helicopter to take off at a moment’s notice. Thanks to the community’s support, the rescue helicopter 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:

• 619 missions completed in total in 2025

• 43 patients transported to hospital for urgent care

• 41 patients transported following motor vehicle accidents

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

• 313 interhospital transfers undertaken

• 103 miscellaneous missions carried out

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

On the first day of 2025, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was immediately in high demand, carrying out seven missions in a single day and being tasked to locations including Tauranga Hospital, Rotorua Hospital, Matakana Island, and Hahei.

The remainder of the month continued to be busy, with the rescue helicopter crew completing 66 missions (though this was not the busiest month of the year).

February saw the rescue helicopter crew tasked to 49 missions, including a callout to Kawerau for a male who sustained potentially lifethreatening injuries after a significant fall. The patient was treated on scene for approximately an hour and a half by the onboard Critical Care Flight Paramedic before being flown to Waikato Hospital for further medical care.

March was the busiest month, with 70 missions performed across the Bay of Plenty region. One of those missions involved the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being tasked to Motiti Island for a male patient who had sustained injuries. He was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital for further medical treatment.

In the following months, the crew remained in high demand, completing several missions:

On May 1st, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Pongakawa for a male who had sustained serious injuries after a 5metre fall. The patient was stabilised at the scene before being airlifted to Tauranga Hospital for further care.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to the Kaimai Ranges on July 27th for a male experiencing a medical event. The patient was winched out of the remote location and received care from the crew en route to Tauranga Hospital, where he could receive further treatment.

On November 3rd, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to the Tongariro Crossing for a female experiencing a medical event. As the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was attending another mission, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter crew stepped in to help the patient in need. She was airlifted to Taupō Hospital for further treatment.

As the summer season began in December, the combination of longer days, warmer weather, increased travel on the roads, and heightened activity at beaches, rivers, and bush tracks resulted in a greater demand for rapid emergency response.

On December 13th, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Papamoa Hills for a male in serious condition. Due to the remote location, a winch operation was required to extract the patient. He was treated and winched out before being transported to Tauranga 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 Aerocool 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/aerocool-rescue helicopter/donate

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