The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter provides a 24-hour air emergency medical service to the Coastal Bay of Plenty Region in the North Island. Since the service was founded in 2000, it has touched the lives of more than a thousand patients.
Specially equipped for rescues, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter attends search and rescue missions, operations involving a winch, night operations, time-critical inter-hospital transfers, and provide assistance to NZ Fire, Land Search and Rescue and the Armed Offender Squad.
These missions wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and skill of the incredible team of men and women who make up the crew of the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. The flight workforce consists of full-time experienced Critical Care Flight Paramedics (CCFP), Air Crew Officers and Pilots. Each member of the team brings a specialist skillset, enhancing the safety and efficiency of rescue missions.
Central Air Ambulance Rescue Limited (CAARL) and Search and Rescue Services Ltd (SRSL) are registered charitable companies that operate 8 rescue helicopter bases covering the Central and Southern North Island, including the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. To find out more, go to https://www.caarl.org.nz/
Helicopters
Specifications & Equipment
The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter is an Airbus H145. This twin-engine helicopter has advanced technology that significantly increase efficiency and performance, making it the best aircraft for all types of emergency situations.
Crew
Your Pilots
With proven experience in a diverse range of flying conditions, and logging thousands of flight hours, a rescue helicopter pilot is trusted with the safety of all on board.
Liam - Pilot and Base Manager
Clayton - Pilot
Hendry - Pilot
Todd - Pilot
Ben - Pilot
Your Air Crew Officer
As the extra eyes and ears for the Pilot and Critical Care Flight Paramedic during a mission, safety on board and around the aircraft is their priority including winch operation, navigation, obstacle identification and safe landing during flights.
Dave - Air Crew Officer
Steve - Air Crew Officer
Kat - Air Crew Officer
Kesia - Air Crew Officer
Al - Relief Air Crew Officer
Jack - Relief Air Crew Officer
Ian - Air Crew Officer
Your Critical Care Flight Paramedic
A critical care flight paramedic is trained to perform advanced medical intervention and life-saving procedures within a rescue helicopter environment.
Janine - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Dave - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Tony - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Richard - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
JK - Relief Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Lorrin- Relief Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Your Operations Team
Muir - Medical Director
Massey - Pilot Training Manager
Charlie - Chief Pilot
Chris - Chief Operating Officer
Graeme - Clinical Operations Manager
History of the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter
The Aerocool Rescue started out as the Tranz Rail Rescue Helicopter, founded in 2000. TECT and Trustpower joined up to become principal sponsors of the helicopter in 2003, and the service was renamed the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter.
In 2007, the Ian Pain Memorial Hangar was built, sponsored by Vern and Barbara Pain. In April 2018, the helicopter was upgraded from the single-engine Squirrel to the twin-engine BK117.
By 2019, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter had employed full-time Crewmen and Intensive Care Paramedics, and TECT had become the sole principal sponsor, giving it the name it was known as between 2019 & 2022: The TECT Rescue Helicopter. In November 2022, it was renamed the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter as Aerocool became the principal sponsor. Since its inception, the crew have undertaken over 4,100 missions.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters, including the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. Encompassing a fleet of rescue helicopters, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis.
In 2007, the Ian Pain Memorial Hangar was built, sponsored by Vern and Barbara Pain. In April 2018, the helicopter was upgraded from the single-engine Squirrel to the twin-engine BK117.
By 2019, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter had employed full-time Crewmen and Intensive Care Paramedics, and TECT had become the sole principal sponsor, giving it the name it was known as between 2019 & 2022: The TECT Rescue Helicopter. In November 2022, it was renamed the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter as Aerocool became the principal sponsor. Since its inception, the crew have undertaken over 4,100 missions.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters, including the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. Encompassing a fleet of rescue helicopters, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis.
Team
Vanessa Richmond
General Manager
Leads the team at Philips Search & Rescue Trust, guiding the Fundraising, Marketing, Administration, and Finance teams as they power the mission forward.
vanessa@rescue.org.nz
Sharni Weir
Head of Fundraising and Marketing
Leads the team across all facets of Fundraising, & Marketing & Communication - driving big ideas, bold campaigns, and meaningful connections. Guides the creation and execution of fundraising, marketing, and communication strategies that sustain and amplify the momentum of PSRT’s mission.
sharni.weir@rescue.org.nz
Angela Cranfield
Finance Manager
Oversees and supports all things finance - keeping the numbers tidy, the systems humming, and the financial magic flowing behind the scenes that help keep the rescue helicopters flying.
angela.cranfield@rescue.org.nz
Keita Kirchin
Office and Finance Administrator
Keeps all things finance humming and brings clever order to the office - making the behind‑the‑scenes magic happen.
keita.kirchin@rescue.org.nz
Jenny Barris
Finance Processor
Processes donations that are made by our generous donors
donate@rescue.org.nz
Kelly Stringer
Community Fundraising Coordinator
Champions our amazing community fundraisers, brings events to life in support of the rescue helicopters, and is the friendly first point of contact for our community groups, schools, and corporate donors.
fundraise@rescue.org.nz
Millie Armory
Donor Care Coordinator – Regular Giving and Legacy Giving
The go‑to person for our amazing regular donors - always ready to help, support, and make their experience easy and enjoyable. Millie also leads on all Gift in Will enquiries, providing guidance and care throughout this deeply personal and meaningful decision.
donate@rescue.org.nz
Laura Hamilton
Donor Care Coordinator – Individual Giving
Connects with past patients to share their story, who are at the heart of everything we do, while also being the first point of contact for our wonderful individual givers.
donate@rescue.org.nz
Kaia MacGregor
Fundraising and Marketing Support
Supports all the everyday magic that helps share PSRT’s mission.
donate@rescue.org.nz
Abigail Smillie
Fundraising and Insights Coordinator
Where smart insights meet human heart - turning data into meaningful updates that keep supporters connected and your rescue helicopter in the air.
donate@rescue.org.nz
Gillian Crompton
Fundraising and Marketing Executive
Keeps all the behind‑the‑scenes work running smoothly, developing engaging donor content that strengthens the connection to their rescue helicopters and helps share PSRT’s life‑saving missions with communities across New Zealand.
marketing@rescue.org.nz
Olivia Martinovich
Digital Marketing & Design Coordinator
Champions PSRT’s brand - bringing its identity to life through design, engaging content, and dynamic digital marketing
marketing@rescue.org.nz
Fran Pollock
Digital Fundraising and Marketing Coordinator
Supports the creation of unforgettable events and spreads the rescue helicopters’ life‑saving missions across our socials (@rescuehelicoptersnz) - keeping supporters donors connected to their helicopter every step of the way.
marketing@rescue.org.nz
Milla Ware
Fundraising & Marketing Assistant
Creates the magic emails that keep our donors connected to their rescue helicopters, while shaping the media releases that share the life‑saving missions of PSRT’s rescue helicopters with communities.
marketing@rescue.org.nz