Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust: New Zealand Air Ambulance Provider Since 1970

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) is New Zealand’s pioneering air ambulance provider, established in 1970 as the world’s first civilian surf rescue helicopter service. With 50+ years of aeromedical experience and 20,000+ successful rescue missions completed, ARHT operates a modern helicopter fleet valued at over $50 million from Ardmore Airbase.

Air ambulances function as airborne critical care units staffed with highly-trained critical care paramedics and pre-hospital and retrieval medicine (PHRM) doctors. The service covers 1.85 million residents from the Coromandel Peninsula to Cape Reinga.

The 24-hour operational base at Ardmore coordinates all aspects of emergency response. For aviation professionals exploring air ambulance services in New Zealand, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust delivers proven expertise in critical aeromedical transport.

Services & Capabilities

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust specializes in emergency aeromedical response requiring rapid patient transport to appropriate medical facilities. ARHT is recognized among the best air ambulance services in New Zealand for its pioneering role in aeromedical transport.

Emergency air ambulance services assist when patients require urgent transport from areas without adequate medical facilities or when ground ambulance transport times would compromise patient outcomes. Medical crews receive extensive training in flight physiology, critical care medicine, and emergency procedures.

Northern Rescue Helicopter Ltd operates as a joint venture between Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and Northland Emergency Services Trust. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and ACC contract the service as the official emergency air ambulance provider for the northern region. Clients include hospital networks, emergency services, government agencies, and private individuals requiring urgent aeromedical transport.

Operations & Process

The 24-hour operational base at Ardmore Airbase manages all emergency responses from initial dispatch to patient delivery at receiving hospitals.

Upon activation, the team deploys appropriate aircraft based on mission requirements, assigns qualified medical crews consisting of pilot, air crew officer, and two clinicians, coordinates with receiving hospitals and emergency services, maintains continuous communication with dispatch and medical facilities, and ensures proper handover protocols at destination facilities.

Each mission crew includes a pilot, air crew officer, and clinical team. The clinical configuration pairs critical care paramedics with pre-hospital and retrieval medicine (PHRM) doctors, or two critical care paramedics depending on patient acuity. The fleet includes aircraft commonly used for air ambulance operations across the Asia-Pacific region. The Rapid Response Vehicle supports local medical missions close to Ardmore Airbase when helicopter response is not required.

Key Services

• Air Ambulance Transport: Leonardo AW-169 and BK-117 helicopters. Critical care paramedics and PHRM doctors. Flight physiology trained crews. 20,000+ successful missions. 24/7/365 availability.
• Search and Rescue: Remote area extraction. Surf and water rescue. West coast beach operations. Outer island response. Coromandel Peninsula coverage.
• Critical Care Transfers: Inter-hospital intensive care transport. Trauma patients. Cardiac emergencies. Time-critical medical conditions.
• Regional Coverage: Greater Auckland. Northland to Cape Reinga. Coromandel Peninsula. Outer islands. 1.85 million residents served.
• 24-Hour Operations: Ardmore Airbase headquarters. Mission coordination. Hospital liaison. Emergency services integration. Continuous availability.
• PHRM Service: Pre-hospital and retrieval medicine doctors. Specialist trauma physicians. Advanced clinical interventions. Critical care continuity.

Quick Facts

• Company: Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT)
• Joint Venture: Northern Rescue Helicopter Ltd
• Founded: 1970
• Location: Auckland, New Zealand (Ardmore Airbase)
• Experience: 50+ years in New Zealand aeromedical services
• Missions Completed: 20,000+
• Annual Missions: 1,000+
• Fleet: 2x Leonardo AW-169, 1x BK-117, 1x Rapid Response Vehicle
• Fleet Value: $50 million+
• Coverage: Greater Auckland, Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, outer islands
• Population Served: 1.85 million residents
• Staff: 150 employees across clinical, aviation, and administrative roles
• Medical Team: Critical care paramedics, PHRM doctors
• Service Model: 24/7/365 emergency response
• Contracted By: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, ACC

Contact Details

Address: 440 Harvard Lane, Ardmore 2582, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9-950 7205
Email: fundraising@arht.org.nz
Website: www.rescuehelicopter.org.nz

Location