The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter is powered by a fully operational BK-117 Kawasaki helicopter with single-pilot instrument flight capability and operating around the clock, with a flight workforce consisting of Pilots, Air Crew Officers, and in-house Critical Care Flight Paramedics (CCFP).
The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter responds to callout to the roadside and off-road incidents, marine mayday calls, bush and mountain search and rescue missions, hospital to hospital transfers, and rural and remote medical and accident emergencies.
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 Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter. To find out more, go to https://www.caarl.org.nz/
Helicopters
Specifications & Equipment
The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter is a Kawasaki BK117. This single-pilot twin-engine helicopter has commonly been used as a rescue helicopter due to its speed, reliability and ability to fly close to cliff faces which makes it the best aircraft for all types of missions.
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.
Euan - Pilot
Greg - Pilot
Lance - Pilot
Ross - Pilot
Your Air Crew Officer
As the extra eyes and ears for the Pilot and the 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.
Leigh - Base Manager, Paramedic/Air Crew Officer
Waka - Air Crew Officer
Ben - Air Crew Officer
Your Critical Care Flight Paramedics
A critical care flight paramedic is trained to perform advanced medical intervention and life-saving procedures within a rescue helicopter environment.
Rene - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Schalk - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Aidan - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Adam - 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 Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter
The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was established in 1991, formerly known as the NZ Rail Helicopter. It has undertaken over 10,600 missions since its inception. The helicopter was based at the airport and was brought to life by generous volunteers. In 2003, the Philips Rescue Hangar was built by the NZ Army, officially giving the rescue crew their own base.
In 1996, the helicopter upgraded to a Squirrel AS350A machine and Tranz Rail took over as principal sponsor. It was rebranded as the Square Trust Rescue Helicopter in 2002. As the service grew, the need for a new helicopter became apparent and June 2015 marked the official launch of the new BK117, which continues to save lives in the Manawatu and Whanganui regions to this day. In September 2022, the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was renamed as the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter.
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 Grassroots Trust 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 1996, the helicopter upgraded to a Squirrel AS350A machine and Tranz Rail took over as principal sponsor. It was rebranded as the Square Trust Rescue Helicopter in 2002. As the service grew, the need for a new helicopter became apparent and June 2015 marked the official launch of the new BK117, which continues to save lives in the Manawatu and Whanganui regions to this day. In September 2022, the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was renamed as the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter.
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 Grassroots Trust 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 & 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