Last year the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters attended 1,118 missions – made up of accidents, medical emergencies, hospital transfers, and search and rescues.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (operators of the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters), employ its own Pilots, Crew and Flight Paramedics (as well as medics on rotation with St John). It began the first HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) initiative in NZ, which enables Medical Emergency Trauma Doctors to fly with the crew, and also started carrying whole blood on-board, giving the HEMS doctors the ability to perform blood transfusions enroute to hospital.

“We are extremely grateful to G.J. Gardner Homes, who has been a supporter of the helicopters for over 18 years,” – ARHT.

Ellie Porteous, General Manager Deacon Holdings Limited the Master franchisee for G.J. Gardner Homes NZ, is proud to support the rescue helicopters. “We recognise the invaluable work that these rescue helicopters do, knowing the team is there provides crucial support for our communities.”

Recently the team at Deacon Holdings Limited, were lucky enough to visit the hanger to get a close up view of the helicopters, and chat with the crew. The team tried their hand at the helicopter flight simulator, a tool the pilots use for their training. Safe to say you are in better hands with their pilots than with us!

To donate and learn more about the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, visit their website: www.rescuehelicopter.org.nz