The Rescue Warriors is a group of 12 blokes from mid Canterbury who are biking the length of New Zealand to raise money to support MISSION 2026, the modernisation and transformation of the rescue helicopter service across Canterbury and the West Coast.
Ahead of their ride in February 2026, we thought we’d catch up with each of the warriors to find out what’s inspired them to take on this challenge.
When he first rode the length of New Zealand, Willy Leferink got to day three before questioning what he’d signed himself up for.
This time, the hills may not surprise him quite so much, but the public has.
“I’m just gobsmacked by the generosity we’ve received. It’s incredible – and it’s all for such a great cause,” Willy says.
Willy is one of the original Rescue Warriors who biked the length of New Zealand in 2022 to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
Willy started biking when he hit 60 years of age – it was a way to spend more time off the farm.
“I needed to step back a bit and do something for me. Biking was it.”
He started riding with mates from the Hinds and Districts Lions Club; the Rescue Warriors grew from there. Since that first ride, Willy says the original group of four has continued to evolve.
“We’d been in close contact ever since that first ride. When we saw that the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust needed extra funds for the new helicopters, we thought it was a good idea to repeat the ride to support the cause.”
Originally from the Netherlands, Willy and his family came to New Zealand in 1990, lured by opportunities in the dairy industry.
“We started in Taranaki, moved to Auckland before some doors opened and we ended up sharemilking for Tasman Agriculture, which is now Dairy Holdings.”
That was a stepping stone into farm ownership for Willy and his family, who still are involved in farming and other businesses.
“New Zealand has offered us wonderful opportunities. It’s great to give back to the community that’s given so much to us.”
Willy says while his wife Jeanet, two daughters and five grandchildren have said he’s ‘mad’ for taking on the ride again, they support it 100%.
“We’re one of the lucky ones who’ve never had to use the rescue helicopter, but we know many people who have used it and we know some of the crew. It’s an amazing organisation and I take my hat off to them for what they do for our community.”
Willy is in ‘Team Muscle’ riding from Bluff to Cape Reinga. Currently he’s riding over the Maruia Saddle, in between the West Coast and Tasman districts.
“I’m not the fastest, I’m a grinder. I take my time to get there but I always seem to get there at the same time as the others. It’s just about doing one mile after the other, while enjoying the scenery being the land of milk and honey.”
Donate to the Rescue Warriors here.
You can follow the Rescue Warriors on their incredible journey via their Facebook page.
Originally from the Netherlands, Willy says the Rescue Warriors’ ride is a great way to give back to the community that’s given so much to him and his family.
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