Life Flight

When Paul learnt that he needed new lungs it came as a total shock. With the help of our supporters, he was able to get not just one, but two new chances at life. 

While competing in a cycling race, Brendan's heart stopped, his head hitting the ground so hard the helmet shattered. Your support deployed the Westpac Chopper, and his recovery was nothing short of miraculous.

Hours after his birth, something was terribly wrong with Theo. He could barely breathe or feed. As his symptoms continued, a flight to Wellington's paediatric ward was his best chance at survival.

As Georgia went into premature labour, the doctors and nurses did everything they could to delay baby Mirabella's birth. Time was running out, and our supporters gave them the best chance possible.

New parents, Jess and Colby, had their lives shaken when baby Axle arrived six weeks early. Separated from their family, Life Flight's supporters brought them home.

A few short days after Adelle brought her first and only, Isaac, home after being born, he started experiencing a brain haemorrhage. Our generous donors got him to life-saving surgery.

While watching the evening news, their world was shaken by an unexpected cardiac arrest. See how your support got this grandmother to life-saving surgery.

Every Sunday, Louis hops on his bike selling chicken eggs, raising money for a very special cause. The people who helped his baby sister Freda.

After spending more than four months in Wellington Hospital, your support brought them home.

What started as an innocent holiday game quickly became a critical rescue mission for Matt. A devastating neck injury required the utmost care from the Westpac Chopper crew.

When their baby's life hangs in the balance, Chelsea and Mitch rely on an urgent air ambulance transfer to give her a fighting chance.

First-time parents Falyn and Peter were excitedly awaiting twins Fergus and Finley, but only 12 weeks into the pregnancy, it was clear Fergus would have to fight for his life.

Out of the blue, Adrian found himself in a race against time. He was experiencing an aortic dissection, and every minute saved improved his chances of survival.

While Bruce was working under the hot Masterton sun, a growing pain became unbearable. Soon unconscious, the Westpac Chopper became the tool to save his life.

An urgent flight 48 hours after Poppy was born ensured her life. 10 years later, Mum Leisha reflects on what that flight meant for her family.

When a familiar walk became Michelle’s nightmare, the Westpac Chopper was her only hope of escape. 

When Jess’s water broke two months earlier than expected, none of the local hospitals were equipped for such an early birth. Thanks to you, our air ambulance plane was ready at a moment's notice.

Despite the cardiac arrest that left Nicky with memory loss and a pacemaker, she’s thankful to come out of it with her life.

Harrison has been a fighter since birth. He defied all odds in surviving a severe brain bleed when born. Unfortunately, it wasn’t his last fight.

Lee, an experienced horserider, was enjoying a day out at a friends farm in Masterton. Shortly after, she was speeding to Wellington Hospital in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Baby August was a happy, cheeky, and brave boy that touched many hearts in his fourteen months on earth. Thank you to his parents, Ursula and Jake, for sharing their story.

Wairarapa local Ewen woke suddenly in his bed. His arms were numb, his body cold and clammy. He was having a massive heart attack.

Baby Taylor had a dramatic start to life; born prematurely in Nelson, she suffered a collapsed lung. Life Flight's Air Ambulance plane was ready.

Forty years ago, a seriously injured Andrew was flown from remote Wairarapa bush by Peter Button. Decades later, he needed the Westpac Chopper once more.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter team winches three people off a boat near Kaikōura. No power and battling high waves, the boat sank five minutes later.

A routine ultrasound for Mum-to-be Rebekah had a different outcome than expected...

Living in a remote part of the country, Bill understands the need for Life Flight more than anyone.

What should have been a moment of joy quickly turned into distress when newborn Bentley didn’t respond as normal.

A walk on a friend's farm quickly took a turn for 85-year-old grandmother, Pat.

When two-year-old Tilly's blood test showed an abnormal result, her mum decided to Google what that meant. The first thing that came up was leukaemia. 

It was a wet day at work for Jarrod, who was driving along the rugged Mount Bruce landscape when suddenly he found himself rolling down a steep, grassy hill.

As Kaz lay in agony in the Maungakotukutuku hills with life-threatening injuries, the sound of the whirring blades of the Westpac Chopper gave her hope.

Kylie, her husband Fede and their two children went for a Sunday hike in the Remutaka Forest Park when disaster struck.

Alice was winched from the Paraparaumu bush after a severe fall.

When newborn Waylon started losing consciousness, an Air Ambulance Plane was quickly dispatched to get him to Wellington Hospital.

Being helped by a manual oxygen pump, premature baby Zachariah needed to get to Wellington Hospital fast.

Thanks to your support, Pip was able to recover from a brain aneurysm, a condition that has a 60% survival rate.

A routine tonsillectomy turned into an emergency transfer from Masterton to Wellington for four-year-old Stefan, his mum, and baby sister.

Floating alone, freezing, 300 metres off the coast - Lincoln grew weaker by the second.

Your kind donations help worried mothers like Katrina get their children the urgent specialist care they need.

When Joe broke his leg in the Aorangi Forest Park with night quickly approaching, he was thankful to have a personal location beacon on hand.

After a blissful nine months of eagerly waiting to become a Dad, Dilpreet’s life suddenly turned upside down when the doctor warned him he may lose his baby.

Twenty-eight weeks pregnant, Tracy had no idea her life was in danger when she was rushed to Nelson Hospital after her midwife spotted potentially fatal symptoms.

Indianna was born with congenital heart disease hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Her mum, Carmen, shares her story.

Colin Tandy barely clung to life after his truck rolled 80 metres down a Marlborough cliff.

Our Air Ambulance Plane provided safe transport for New Zealand's youngest receiver of a new heart.

After a devastating motorbike crash in the Wairarapa, Katie Jane was flown to Wellington Hospital – but the care she received didn’t end with that flight.

5-week-old Matese needed a life-saving flight in our Air Ambulance Plane to Starship Children's Hospital.

Our Westpac Chopper was able to provide Richard with a lifeline when his yacht became uncontrollable.