The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter has once again proven to be a vital lifeline for communities across the Whanganui and Manawatu regions. In 2025, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter crew carried out 407 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 Grassroots Trust Resue Helicopter to take off at a moment’s notice. Thanks to the community’s 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:

• 407 missions completed in total in 2025
• 21 patients transported to hospital for urgent care
• 38 patients transported following motor vehicle accidents
• 142 rural, remote, or search and rescue operations completed
• 103 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 Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter crew flew throughout 2025.

On January 9th, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Kakatahi for a male who had sustained critical injuries following a motorbike related accident. The onboard crew stabilised the patient at the scene before airlifting him to Whanganui Hospital for further treatment.

On January 20th, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to another motorbike related accident, in Ruakokoputuna. The male patient had sustained serious injuries and was stabilised on the scene before being flown to Wellington Hospital for further treatment.

February was a busy month with 47 missions. One of those including the rescue helicopter crew being tasked to Palmerston North Airport for a male who was in critical condition. The patient was airlifted to Wellington Hospital for further medical treatment.

March was the busiest month of the year for the crew, who carried out 49 missions across the region.

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

On April 4th, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter attended to a male in critical condition following a motor vehicle accident in Woodville. The patient was extracted from the vehicle and treated on scene before being airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital for further medical care.

On June 6th, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Ohakune for a female who had sustained injuries following a motor vehicle accident. The patient was transported via helicopter to Whanganui Hospital for further treatment. Later that afternoon, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter crew returned to Ohakune for a male who had been injured following a fall. The patient was airlifted to Whanganui Hospital for further medical care.

On November 12th, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Whanganui River, where a woman was experiencing a sudden medical emergency. Given the remote and inaccessible terrain, the onboard rescue crew determined that a winch extraction was required to deliver the critical medical care the patient required. She was then flown to Whanganui Hospital to receive further treatment.

On November 25th, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Totara Forest Park for a male who sustained injuries after a fall while hiking. He was airlifted to Wairarapa Hospital to receive further treatment.

On December 22nd, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Martinborough for a female who was in critical condition. She was airlifted to Wellington 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 your Grassroots Trust 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/grassroots-trust-rescue-helicopter/donate

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