Life Flight

Life Flight’s new Airbus H145 Westpac Rescue Helicopter enters service in Wellington, boosting safety, reliability, and lifesaving care across the Lower North and Upper South Islands.

When First Officer James signed on for duty, he had no idea the whirlwind day ahead. 

When Clive Button joined his father Peter in the late 1970s, he never imagined he’d be part of shaping a rescue service that would transform New Zealand forever.

Thank you to everyone that joined us at the 28th Cello Champions Charity Luncheon on July 11th! It was a celebration of NZ sporting legends, with generous guests coming together in a charity auction to raise vital funds for Life Flight.

On Thursday May 8th 2025 wonderful Kiwis came out in support of the Westpac Chopper, keeping it in the air by raising life-saving funds.

This April, pilot Cam is cycling 450km in the Tour of New Zealand to raise vital funds for life-saving flights. Just like the distances he flies daily to get critically ill patients to urgent care, this ride symbolizes the journey so many rely on.

Open Day returned in 2025 with a bang! Over 5,000 Wellingtonians descended on the base to enjoy an action-packed day of demos, getting up close with emergency services, and raising over $40,000 for Life Flight

Join the Wairarapa community in supporting Life Flight at Uplift on November 1st in Martinborough. A cocktail function with fabulous live entertainment, exciting auctions, and more.

Once a year, we open our doors to Life Flight's sponsors, partners, donors, and friends for a fantastic evening dining experience.

Life Flight, bolstered by a substantial $1 million grant from New Zealand Community Trust, is extending a lifeline to those in need of time-critical medical care by adding a fourth air ambulance plane, based at Hamilton Airport.

In the 2024 Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brand awards, a survey of 1800 Kiwis found Westpac Rescue to be the Most Trusted Brand in the charity category. Thank you to everyone who voted for us.

On Wednesday, June 12th 2024, people throughout the community came together to test their trivia prowess at the Westpac Chopper Appeal Quiz. All while raising money for your local rescue chopper!

On Thursday May 2nd 2024, wonderful Kiwis came out in support of the Westpac Chopper, keeping it in the air by raising life-saving funds.

Thanks to Seven Sharp for shining a spotlight on the amazing work our Air Ambulance teams do, day in, day out. Watch them introduce our lifesaving new fleet.

On November 16th, Crewman Mike brought us behind the scenes of the Westpac Chopper for a free Webinar "Above and Beyond."

It was an exhilarating quiz night on Sunday, June 4th 2023 with the one and only Shaun Wallace, one of the most beloved Chasers in television history.

On Saturday, May 13th 2023 the community came down to Henley Lake, Masterton with their furry friends for a whole load of family fun.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter trailer, a sturdy former wool bale trolley, plays an important role in enabling safe and efficient journeys. When it was time for a replacement, the Nikau Foundation kindly stepped up.

Life Flight were delighted to receive funding from Pub Charity for a new specialised piece of medical equipment for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The Fundraising Institute of New Zealand hosted a virtual awards ceremony to celebrate and recognise the work of charities across the country. Life Flight was among the recipients of these awards, including Overall Excellence in Fundraising.

Two long-standing Wellington-based organisations dedicated to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders have announced a new partnership. Not-for-profit Kiwi health insurer Accuro is now the principal Air Ambulance supporter for the Life Flight Trust.

Essential for nearly a quarter of our missions, night vision goggles magnify ambient light thousands of times, allowing the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to land on unlit roads, in paddocks, and conduct search and rescue missions in the middle of the night.

Life Flight received the Gold Award for Operational Activity for a very significant contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during 2020.

Westpac NZ is donating an extra $1 million to support New Zealand’s rescue helicopters, which are facing a serious fundraising shortfall due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Life Flight was quick to respond when word of a new COVID-19 Coronavirus was spreading rapidly throughout the world. Teaming with various organisations we were able to adapt and keep our patients, crew and community safe.