Leigh, Air Crew Officer/Paramedic and Base Manager of the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter, is proud to be challenging expectations in an industry historically dominated by men.

“I’m currently the youngest person on our base and the only female on the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter, and somehow, I ended up in charge of the crew. It just goes to show that girls really can do anything,” she says.

This International Women’s Day, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter is recognising the vital contributions women make onboard rescue helicopters, and the wider community. As part of this celebration, the achievements of Leigh are being highlighted, who joined the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter crew in November 2020 and stepped into the Base Manager role in 2025.

Leigh’s leadership reflects the growing presence and impact of women in aviation, paramedicine, and search and rescue. When asked what advice she would give to young women aspiring to work in these fields, Leigh’s message was clear: “if you can dream it, you can be it.” She acknowledges that both paramedicine and aviation have deep roots as maledominated professions, “but that shouldn’t be a barrier.”

Her role is demanding, requiring her to constantly balance aviation and medical responsibilities. As a Paramedic and Air Crew Officer, she serves as the pilot’s second set of eyes and ears while also supporting the Critical Care Flight Paramedic during missions. As Base Manager, she also carries the weight of leading the team while staying operationally ready - a combination she admits is “always a challenge - but luckily, we girls are pretty good at multitasking.”

Leigh began her career as a medic in 2012 when she joined the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Her time in the NZDF provided extensive experience in aviation medicine, fixed and rotary wing aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, emergency medicine, and primary health care - skills that now underpin her work on the rescue helicopter.

When asked about the best part of leading her crew, Leigh doesn’t hesitate: “The people - hands down. I’m humbled every day by the team I get to work with. We do serious work in high-pressure moments, but the yarns and banter keep things grounded so nothing ever feels too heavy. Leading this crew is a privilege.”

In 2025, the rescue helicopter crew carried out 407 missions ranging from interhospital transfers and medical emergencies to motor vehicle accidents and remote or rural rescue operations.

Reflecting on her role, Leigh says the moment that makes her think, “Yes, this is exactly where I’m meant to be,” is when patients return to visit after recovering.

“Seeing someone alive - sometimes even walking - after you’ve fought alongside them to keep them alive in their worst moment… that’s when it really hits home. All the studying, the pressure, the tricky flying - it makes every bit of it worth it.”

Thank you to Leigh and all the exceptional women working onboard the rescue helicopters. Their impact is profound, contributing to lifesaving work that touches hundreds of families each year.

Your Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter relies on generous donations to help fund its life-saving missions. Donate to your local rescue helicopter today - https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/grassroots-trust-rescue-helicopter/donate

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