Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust

Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust runs the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service in the Canterbury and West Coast regions of New Zealand. The trust's physical address is 73 Grays Road, Yaldhurst, Christchurch. Its postal address is PO Box 20262, Bishopdale, Christchurch 8543.

The service is a 24 hour emergency helicopter service. It is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The site says the helicopter can be airborne within 10 minutes during the day. It says the service has carried out more than 18,000 life-saving rescue missions. The site says the service covers about 730,000 people.

The site says the trust needs to raise about 6 million dollars each year to run the service. It lists the annual operating cost at 6 million dollars or more. Ways to give include a donation, a corporate partnership, a gift in a will, and a fundraiser organised by a supporter. Sponsors are listed on the site.

The West Coast base uses an H145 helicopter. The site says the crew includes critical care paramedics and winch operators. The trust also funds advanced crew training so that rescue crews can give higher levels of patient care in difficult places.

The site has patient stories, crew stories, latest news and impact reports. It describes a rescue of a patient with a suspected fractured ankle from dense bush on the West Coast, where the crew used coordinates from a local emergency response team.

The site lists a motorbike show at the Regent Theatre in Greymouth on Saturday 24 October 2026 from 12 pm to 9 pm, and on Sunday 25 October from 10 am to 5 pm. Gold coin entry goes to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The phone number is 03 358 8244.