New emergency helicopter deployed in Hawke's Bay

A new Airbus H145 D3 emergency helicopter has been deployed in Hawke’s Bay, marking the eighth new or near-new aircraft to enter service in New Zealand since early 2024. The helicopter is operated by Search and Rescue Services Limited.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello stated that the coalition government is investing $27.3 million across 2024 and 2025 to replace aging aircraft with 16 newer models. This initiative aims to address the fact that New Zealand’s helicopter fleet was previously among the oldest in the developed world.

The new fleet is intended to provide improved safety, better performance in bad weather, increased fuel efficiency, and enhanced patient care capabilities. The Hawke’s Bay unit will support patients with life-threatening conditions and facilitate inter-hospital transfers for critically ill patients. An additional eight replacement helicopters are expected to begin operating in the North Island and Christchurch by June next year.