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/
Helicopters
Specifications & Equipment
The Greenlea 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.
Adam - Pilot and Base Manager
Jase - 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.
Bondy - Air Crew Officer
Annika - Air Crew Officer
Georgia - Air Crew Officer
Zoe - Air Crew Officer
Jack - Relief Air Crew Officer
Iain - Air Crew Officer
Al - Relief 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.
Rob - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Tony - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Michael - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Logan - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Lorrin - Relief Critical Care Flight Paramedic
JK - Relief Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Your Operations Team
Muir - Medical Director
Graeme - Clinical Operations Manager
Charlie - Chief Pilot
Massey - Pilot Training Manager
Chris - Chief Operating Officer
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.
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 all areas of Fundraising & Marketing. Oversees the delivery of fundraising, marketing & communication strategies
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
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
Kiefer O'Donoghue
Fundraising and Sponsorship Coordinator
Responsible for key sponsorship relationships, bringing new partners on board, creating memorable sponsor‑driven events, and unlocking fresh funding opportunities while nurturing relationships with key funders.
sponsorship@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
Kaia MacGregor
Fundraising and Marketing Support
Supports all the everyday magic that helps share PSRT’s mission.
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.
fundraise@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
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
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
Frankie 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