Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter

‘My heart had stopped. I would have died if the helicopter hadn’t come.’ - Denis Gadd

It could be you, your family or friends that need us. Your support ensures the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter is available in your community.

The Palmerston North Helicopter can be airborne in 10 minutes, and in a life or death situation, this speed and agility can make all the difference. It is the timely assistance that the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter provides that can reduce disability and improve survival - the sooner treatment begins the greater chance of patient recovery. In fact, in most instances, the rescue helicopter reduces travel time by more than three-quarters in comparison to a road ambulance.

But the cost of this is huge - over $2 million per year needed, just in annual operating costs to keep this life-saving service in your community.

Your local rescue helicopter does have contracts with ACC, DHB, and New Zealand Police, but this only covers 47% of the operating costs. This means we rely on our community to help raise the additional 53% of funding needed.

Without community support, your rescue helicopter would not be able to remain operational on a 24/7, 365 basis, which would mean a serious delay in people being rescued, or transported to and from hospital facilities for urgent treatment.

Becoming a supporter of the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter means you will be making a life-saving difference in your community.