Please help your rescue crew save more lives
Accidents or emergency situations can happen anywhere, anytime. It’s what happens next that matters.
The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance of patient recovery. When the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter is tasked to a life-saving emergency rescue via the emergency 111 call system, it is the best and often the only option.
Founded in 1987, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter serves the Waikato, Coromandel and the King Country, bringing life-saving equipment and trauma-trained Critical Care Flight Paramedics directly to the patient.
In 1987, your rescue helicopter completed 70 missions in an entire year. Today, your rescue helicopter responds to an average of 62 missions per month - a powerful reflection of how demand for the service has grown.
We cannot do what we do without the support of our community. We rely on the kindness of people like you to save lives every day.
The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance of patient recovery. When the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter is tasked to a life-saving emergency rescue via the emergency 111 call system, it is the best and often the only option.
Founded in 1987, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter serves the Waikato, Coromandel and the King Country, bringing life-saving equipment and trauma-trained Critical Care Flight Paramedics directly to the patient.
In 1987, your rescue helicopter completed 70 missions in an entire year. Today, your rescue helicopter responds to an average of 62 missions per month - a powerful reflection of how demand for the service has grown.
We cannot do what we do without the support of our community. We rely on the kindness of people like you to save lives every day.
See the extraordinary impact of your kindness
Thanks to the incredible generosity of people like you, and heartwarming support of the wider community, your Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter is fully equipped with life saving gear:
- Defibrillator $37,800
- Night Vision Googles $34,000 each
- Ventilator $17,950
- Chest Compression Lucas Machine $32,693
- Aerolite Stretcher $472,000
Please give as generously as you can this Chopper Appeal to help keep your rescue helicopter in the air, saving lives in the community.
- Defibrillator $37,800
- Night Vision Googles $34,000 each
- Ventilator $17,950
- Chest Compression Lucas Machine $32,693
- Aerolite Stretcher $472,000
Please give as generously as you can this Chopper Appeal to help keep your rescue helicopter in the air, saving lives in the community.
Recent Missions
Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter
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Greenlea Rescue Helicopter
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YOUR STORIES
May 3, 2026
“It’s hard to put into words the gratitude I feel,” says Chris.
Over 10 years ago, Craig was out enjoying a round of golf with friends.
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Apr 27, 2026
Your support lifted Gary out of the bush, and saved his life
At 68-years-old, Gary was tremendously fit. He’d broken records, won medals, and even won the Alaskan State Championship the year prior. A hike through the Maungatautari Wildlife Reserve should’ve been a piece of cake.
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Mar 4, 2026
Craig will never forget the day help arrived from the sky
What began as a two-day adventure bike ride along the Timber Trail quickly became a life-threatening emergency.
Craig and his friends had cycled about 40 kilometres through the remote forest the previous day.
read more
Craig and his friends had cycled about 40 kilometres through the remote forest the previous day.
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