About Us

Mission Statement

To provide a professional air rescue and air ambulance service supported by well trained personnel for the treatment and recovery of people needing urgent medical care and attention.

Introduction

The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust has successfully administered an air rescue service since 1989. This has been achieved in partnership with Garden City Helicopters, the operator, and the Order of St John, through its paramedics and 111 emergency call service.

Since 1989, hundreds of people throughout Canterbury and the West Coast have been successfully flown from accident sites and hospitals to critical care units throughout the South Island by three main operations - The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, based in Christchurch, the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter based in Greymouth and the NZ Flying Doctor Service fixed wing aircraft also based in Christchurch.

The success of this crucial service is due, in no small part, to the fact that the Trust has the recognition, co-operation and support of the Police, Ambulance Service, ACC, Hospitals, Coastguard and of course, the community which it serves.

During the continuing changes throughout the health sector and ACC, the Trust has continued to provide a pre-eminent air rescue and air ambulance service on which the lives of so many depend.

This has been achieved through the commitment of the Trustees, Rescue Crew and the sponsors and supporters of the service - without whom the service would simply not exist. Our existing sponsorship arrangements cover about 30% of operational costs, while payments from ACC and hospitals cover another 30%. The remainder is raised from the community.

WHY Air Rescue ?