The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter services the Central Plateau and Lakes region across the Central North Island. Providing a 24-hour emergency service, 365 days a year.
Providing a fully-fledged air emergency medical service with the employment of our own full-time experienced Critical Care Flight Paramedics (CCFP), Air Crew Officers and Pilots. Our crews offer a diverse range of attributes and experience to our operation. Each member of the team brings a specialist skillset, enhancing the safety and efficiency of rescue missions.
The team's expertise means your rescue helicopter can attend 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.
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 Greenlea Rescue Helicopter. To find out more, go to https://www.caarl.org.nz/
Team
Vanessa Richmond
General Manager
Leads Philips Search & Rescue Trust and oversees the Fundraising, Marketing, Administration & Finance teams
Sharni Weir
Head of Fundraising and Marketing
Leads all areas of Fundraising & Marketing. Oversees the delivery of fundraising, marketing & communication strategies
Angela Cranfield
Finance Manager
Oversees and supports all things related to finance
Renee Bosley
Fundraising & Marketing Executive
Supports the Fundraising & Marketing Manager, funding requirements, events and oversees fundraising campaigns
Jenny Barris
Finance Processor
Processes donations that are made across all bases
Ayshea Abela
Partnerships Coordinator
Supports our sponsors and corporate donor relationships
Kaia MacGregor
Donor Care Coordinator – Individual Giving
First point of contact for our generous donors, providing support with whatever they need
Laura Hamilton
Database Coordinator
Undertakes the day-to-day coordination of our database and provides support to our donors
Olivia Martinovich
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Manages social media accounts, content creation and communicates with supporters via campaigns & media
Gillian Crompton
Marketing Executive
Looks after our community of patients and families, sharing stories with our family of supporters
Kelly Buchan
Community Fundraising Coordinator
Supports community fundraisers, provides fundraising support and looks after our legacy program.
Milla Ware
Fundraising & Marketing Assistant
Supports the everyday functions of the Fundraising and Marketing team
Millie Armory
Donor Care Coordinator – Regular Giving
Supports the everyday functions of the Fundraising and Marketing team
Helicopters
Specifications & Equipment
The Greenlea 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.
Jase - Pilot and Base Manager
Adam - Pilot
Ru - Pilot
Ben - Pilot
Simon - 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.
Annika - Air Crew Officer
Georgia - Air Crew Officer
Zoe - Air Crew Officer
Bondy - 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.
Lorrin - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Michael - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Logan - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Rob - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Tony - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Your Operations Team
Muir - Medical Director
Barry - Pilot Training Manager
Charlie - Chief Pilot
Chris - Chief Operating Officer
Graeme - Clinical Operations Manager
Hugo - Clinical Development Manager
History of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter
Incepted in 1985, the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter has since undertaken over 6,254 missions. The service began with a Squirrel helicopter, originally called the Philips Rescue Helicopter and upgraded to the BK117 in April of 2019.
In 2012, Greenlea Premier Meats Ltd became the principal sponsor of the helicopter. By 2019, the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter had employed full-time Crewmen and Critical Care Flight Paramedic.
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 Greenlea 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 2012, Greenlea Premier Meats Ltd became the principal sponsor of the helicopter. By 2019, the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter had employed full-time Crewmen and Critical Care Flight Paramedic.
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 Greenlea 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.
