Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust

Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust operates a rescue helicopter service on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing urgent air ambulance and search and rescue missions. The helicopter flies emergency missions and also transports patients from the region to larger hospitals for treatment.

The trust’s base is at Gisborne Airport. Their coverage area extends from Mahanga Beach in the south to Maungapohatu in the west and Te Kaha in the north. This region is described as one of the most isolated and sparsely populated areas in New Zealand. The service supports people in rural, farm, forestry, workplace, vehicle, recreational, and medical emergencies.

Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust was originally formed in 1988 in Ruatoria. It moved to Gisborne in 2000 to access more funding and closer ties with St John Ambulance. The trust manages fundraising and community contributions to cover about half the annual operating costs, which are approximately $700,000 NZD. It receives substantial funding support from Trust Tairāwhiti, its major sponsor, which has committed $350,000 annually for multiple years.

The helicopter, known as the Trust Tairāwhiti Rescue Helicopter, is owned by Search and Rescue Services Ltd, a national body formed by five North Island rescue trusts. Pilots, paramedics, and air crew are employed by this company. The trust maintains a strong community presence by sharing patient stories and holding fundraising auctions and golf events.

The trust’s work requires compliance with national civil aviation regulations and contracts made through the National Ambulance Sector Office since 2012. The helicopter service played a continuing essential role during the Covid-19 lockdowns. The trust remains active, raising funds and operating to save lives and provide equitable medical access in the region.

For a detailed history, the trust has published a comprehensive document covering 1988 to 2014, and it continues to document its activities. The organization highlights strong partnerships with Trust Tairāwhiti and Search and Rescue Services Limited to sustain the service.

Services

• Emergency Rescue Missions
• Air Ambulance Patient Transport
• Search and Rescue
• Fundraising Auctions
• Community Education
• Medical Evacuations
• Rural and Forestry Emergency Support
• Workplace Incident Response
• Recreational Incident Assistance
• Helicopter Operations 24/7