The government is buying eight new emergency helicopters to replace some of New Zealand’s old air ambulances, according to Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello and ACC Minister Hon Matt Doocey.
“Our air ambulance helicopters are crucial for saving lives, especially in remote, rural, or regional areas,” says Casey Costello.
The new helicopters, which will be a mix of new and used, will be purchased or leased and sent to areas where they are needed most.
“These helicopters will improve safety, provide better service, handle bad weather more effectively with new flight technology, reduce maintenance costs, save fuel, and perform better overall,” they added.
“The helicopter fleet allows paramedics, doctors, and nurses to give treatment while taking patients to the right hospital or healthcare facility. This helps reduce the harm from delayed medical care.”
New Zealand’s emergency air ambulance helicopter services are run by:
- Northern Rescue Helicopter Limited for Auckland and Northland,
- Central Air Ambulance Rescue Limited for the Central North Island, and
- Helicopter Emergency Medical Services for the South Island.
These companies own or lease the helicopters they use.
“The first new helicopter is already in use, and the next one will arrive in New Zealand by the end of the year. Ms. Costello says she looks forward to the entire upgraded fleet being fully deployed.”