The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter responds to life and death situations with the speed and agility that can make all the difference, with patients able to receive urgent medical treatment whilst en route to a medical facility.
Providing a fully-fledged air emergency medical service with the employment of our own full-time experienced Critical Care Flight Paramedic (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 Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter. To find out more, go to https://www.caarl.org.nz/
Helicopters
Specifications & Equipment
The Waikato Westpac 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.
Sam - Pilot and Base manager
Andy - Pilot
Dan - Pilot
Frenchy - Pilot
Chris - 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.
Jennifer - Air Crew Officer
David - Air Crew Officer
Mo - Air Crew Officer
Cam - Air Crew Officer
Ian - Air Crew Officer
Al - Relief Air Crew Officer
Jack - Relief 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.
Diane - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Ray - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Rick - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Simon - 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 Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was founded in 1987 and has undertaken over 17,000 missions since its inception. When incepted, the service was 2 pilots equipped with a single-engine squirrel helicopter, only capable of flying during daylight hours, and a tennis court substituting as a landing pad.
With more volunteers and local funding supporting the service, the Squirrel was replaced with a Bell 222 Helicopter in 1995. With IFR capability, the pilots were now able to navigate night missions and conditions with limited visibility.
A winch-capable, single-pilot IFR BK-117 was fitted out to be used as a new rescue helicopter and was in use by 2013. By 2019, a second BK-117 was fitted out with avionics and is now in use alongside the first to meet the growing demand for the service and ensure that rescues could be carried out right across the Waikato.
In 2023, the Airbus H145 Twin-engine helicopter was introduced as the new rescue helicopter for the Waikato base. The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter service has long been a two-rescue helicopter base and with this new H145 rescue helicopter, it will remain a two-rescue helicopter base.
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 Waikato Westpac 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.
With more volunteers and local funding supporting the service, the Squirrel was replaced with a Bell 222 Helicopter in 1995. With IFR capability, the pilots were now able to navigate night missions and conditions with limited visibility.
A winch-capable, single-pilot IFR BK-117 was fitted out to be used as a new rescue helicopter and was in use by 2013. By 2019, a second BK-117 was fitted out with avionics and is now in use alongside the first to meet the growing demand for the service and ensure that rescues could be carried out right across the Waikato.
In 2023, the Airbus H145 Twin-engine helicopter was introduced as the new rescue helicopter for the Waikato base. The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter service has long been a two-rescue helicopter base and with this new H145 rescue helicopter, it will remain a two-rescue helicopter base.
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 Waikato Westpac 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
info@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