Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

What Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust does

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) is a New Zealand charitable trust founded in 1970 that delivers 24/7 emergency aeromedical, search and rescue, and inter-hospital transfer services across Greater Auckland, the Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel, and North Auckland. The service originated as the world's first civilian surf rescue helicopter and has completed more than 20,000 missions since inception, with 1,034 tasked missions logged in 2025 alone across medical emergencies, accidents, search and rescue, and medical transfers. ARHT operates under contract from the Crown agency Ambulance Team (a joint office of the Ministry of Health and Accident Compensation Corporation) via its joint venture Northern Rescue Helicopter Ltd (NRHL), established with the Northland Emergency Services Trust in 2020.

The service platform is built around three community-owned helicopters — two Leonardo AW169s (the only AW169s operating in New Zealand, introduced in 2019) and a BK117 — supplemented by two Rapid Response Vehicles (a 2022 Skoda Superb and a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe) equipped with blood transfusion capability, ultrasound, and Rapid Sequence Intubation. Each mission crew comprises a pilot, an air crew officer, and two clinicians drawn from critical care paramedics and pre-hospital retrieval medicine doctors. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Jane Sheetz (appointed March 2025), with Ian MacPherson serving as CEO of NRHL and Karl Taylor as Chief Operating Officer. ARHT has been voted New Zealand's Most Trusted Charity Brand by Reader's Digest for three consecutive years (2024-2026).

ARHT operates as a registered charity (NZ Charities Commission CC21935) funded through a diversified mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships (with Westpac as principal sponsor and naming-rights partner), recurring lottery programs featuring classic cars and other prizes, bequest and legacy giving, merchandise sales, and community fundraising events. Mission cost is disclosed at approximately NZD $5,000 per life-saving mission, with revenue applied across helicopter operations, crew training and retention, fleet maintenance, and community outreach. The Trust does not charge end-users for rescue services, making donor engagement and sponsor retention the primary commercial discipline.

Name

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Legal name

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Website

https://rescuehelicopter.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust is a New Zealand charitable trust, founded in 1970, that delivers 24/7 emergency aeromedical, search and rescue, and inter-hospital transfer services across Greater Auckland, the Coromandel, and outer islands using three helicopters and two Rapid Response Vehicles, funded primarily through donations and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Air Ambulance and Search and Rescue Services

NAICS

Ambulance Services (621910)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Helicopter Medical Passenger Transport (Non-Emergency) (TLAFACAI), Helicopter Resort & Remote Destination Transfers (TLAFACAF)

Keywords

• Emergency air ambulance
• Search and rescue
• Aeromedical services
• Rescue helicopter operations
• Helicopter emergency services

Headquarters

HQ city

Papakura

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors (Westpac as principal sponsor) and individual donations support daily operations. On average, costs $5,000 to fund every life-saving mission.
2. Lotteries: Regular lottery programs featuring classic cars, Mustangs, Shelbys, and other prizes to raise funds. Multiple lotteries conducted throughout the year.
3. Bequests and Legacies: Legacy giving program where supporters leave gifts in their Will. 'Supporters for Life' program for regular supporters who leave bequests.
4. Fundraising Events: Community events including sports tournaments, poker nights, auctions, quiz nights, car washes, and merchandise sales to raise funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust delivers a 24/7 emergency air ambulance, search and rescue, and inter-hospital medical transfer service across Greater Auckland, Coromandel, Hauraki Gulf, and Great Barrier Island using three helicopters (two Leonardo AW169 and one BK117) and two Rapid Response Vehicles staffed by pilots, air crew officers, critical care paramedics, and pre-hospital retrieval medicine doctors. The service is contracted by the Crown agency Ambulance Team (Ministry of Health and ACC) and funded primarily through community donations, corporate sponsorships, and lottery programs, with each mission costing approximately NZ$5,000 to operate.

Product overview

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust operates a unified emergency aeromedical and rescue service platform centered on three community-owned helicopters (two Leonardo AW169 aircraft and one BK117) providing 24/7 emergency medical services across Greater Auckland, outer islands, and Coromandel regions. The service is augmented by two Rapid Response Vehicles (Skoda Superb and Hyundai Santa Fe) that bring clinicians and emergency room capabilities directly to patients. Each mission crew consists of a pilot, air crew officer, and two clinicians (critical care paramedics and/or pre-hospital and retrieval medicine doctors). The Trust conducts approximately 1,000+ missions annually, funded primarily through donations, sponsorships, and lottery programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Westpac Rescue 1 (Leonardo AW169 Helicopter) Leonardo AW169 helicopter (registration HLH) - a state-of-the-art emergency medical services helicopter designed for search and rescue and aeromedical work, and the only AW169 operating in New Zealand.
• Westpac Rescue 2 (Leonardo AW169 Helicopter) Leonardo AW169 helicopter (registration IZB) - a state-of-the-art emergency medical services helicopter designed for search and rescue and aeromedical work.
• Westpac Rescue 3 (BK117 Helicopter) BK117 helicopter (registration HKZ) - Bolkov Kawasaki 117 aircraft known for reliability, speed, and ability to fly close to cliff faces for rescue operations.
• 2022 Skoda Superb Rapid Response Vehicle Rapid response vehicle stationed at Ardmore base, equipped with life-saving technology to provide immediate emergency care to South and East Auckland communities. Supports advanced procedures including blood transfusions, ultrasounds, and Rapid Sequence Intubations (RSI).
• 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Rapid Response Vehicle Versatile vehicle alternating between RRV duties and transporting whole blood from Auckland City Hospital to base, enabling life-saving procedures on rescue missions. Blood supplies refreshed every two days.
• Classic Car Lottery Program Recurring lottery program in which members of the public purchase tickets for the chance to win classic and muscle cars, with proceeds funding the Trust's rescue operations.
• Charitable Donation Program Online donation portal accepting one-time and recurring donations from individuals and corporate sponsors to fund the Trust's rescue operations. Each life-saving mission costs approximately NZ$5,000 to fund.
• Supporters for Life Bequest Program Legacy giving program enabling supporters to leave charitable gifts in their Will, supported by a free online Will writing service through partnership with Footprint NZ.
• Merchandise Store Online merchandise shop selling branded headwear, flight suits, and Helpful Bears to raise funds for the Trust.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 missions completed since 1970
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SG FleetcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009Fleet solutions company providing motor vehicles for Rapid Response Vehicles since 2009. Supplied 2022 Skoda Superb and other vehicles for ground-based emergency response.
• WestpaccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal sponsor of the rescue helicopter service. Westpac branding on helicopters and service name 'Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter'. Long-standing partnership supporting community safety.
• 1NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing media support and coverage of rescue operations.
• Classic CoverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the rescue helicopter service.
• New WorldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor from the food retail sector.
• PAK'nSAVEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor from the food retail sector.
• One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTelecommunications partner supporting the service.
• NZMEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner (New Zealand Media and Entertainment) providing coverage and support.
• Newstalk ZBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio partner providing media coverage and promotional support.
• Footprint NZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide FREE online Will writing service for supporters. Encourages legacy giving while helping people protect their assets.
• FordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor from automotive sector.
• Shelby NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor; provides vehicles for lotteries and fundraising.
• Extreme BoatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor from marine industry.
• Ambulance TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint office between Ministry of Health and Accident Compensation Corporation. Contracts Northern Rescue (ARHT and NEST joint venture) to deliver emergency air ambulance services in Northern Region.
• HirepoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment hire company corporate sponsor.
• Lindsay FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable foundation supporting the service.
• MansonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor.
• Dominion ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company corporate sponsor.
• Northern Rescue Helicopter Ltd (NRHL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARHT is joint venture partner in Northern Rescue Helicopter Ltd together with Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST). NRHL operates the rescue helicopter service in the northern region.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Rescue1Chopper
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-auckland-rescue-helicopter-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/aucklandrescue
• Xx.com/Rescue1Chopper

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust