New look, same lifesavers

Northland’s rescue helicopters have undergone a makeover, with Westpac joining Northern Rescue as an associate sponsor. While still operated by Northern Rescue, the helicopters are now known as the Northland Westpac Rescue Helicopters.

Northern Rescue chief executive Ian MacPherson said the partnership marked an important milestone for the region’s aeromedical service.

“In the months ahead, people will begin to see more of the distinctive red and yellow helicopters across Northland as Westpac joins the Northern Rescue whānau of sponsors,” he said.

Westpac has sponsored rescue helicopter services in New Zealand for decades, including in Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Canterbury.

Westpac managing director of product, sustainability and marketing Sarah Hearn said extending that support to Northland reflected the bank’s commitment to helping communities.

“Rescue helicopter crews do an incredible job every day, often in difficult conditions, and we’re proud to be supporting the service in Northland,” she said.

The announcement comes as demand for emergency air ambulance services continues to grow.

Between July 2025 and May this year Northern Rescue completed 672 tasked missions in Northland and North Auckland, with 13 in Mangawhai and 47 in Dargaville recorded.

MacPherson said every mission involved someone in urgent need of care.

“Whether responding to serious accidents, medical emergencies, search and rescue operations, winch rescues at sea or disaster response, our crews are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Northern Rescue is also introducing a new fleet of Leonardo AW169 helicopters, which will gradually replace the ageing Sikorsky S-76 aircraft from late this year and next year.

MacPherson said the new helicopters were better equipped for modern aeromedical care and would improve operational efficiency by standardising the fleet across both bases.

The existing white Sikorsky helicopters will remain in service until the transition is complete.

Northland Emergency Services Trust chairman and Northern Rescue director Paul Ahlers said the changes would not affect the local service.

“The helicopters may look different, but the service remains proudly local,” he said.

“Our experienced pilots, aircrew officers and critical care paramedics will continue providing the same 24-hour emergency response Northlanders know and trust.”

Ahlers also acknowledged the community’s long-standing support and welcomed Westpac, alongside principal sponsors Northpower and Top Energy, who have supported the service since 1988.

Northern Rescue is jointly owned by the Northland Emergency Services Trust and the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust. The organisation provides rescue helicopter services across Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel.