Celebrations as a visionary project to transform rescue helicopter services across Canterbury and the West Coast reaches completion.
The final of four state-of-the-art H145 Westpac Rescue Helicopters has been officially welcomed into service at a blessing and celebration held on 1 July. The event marked the end of MISSION 2026.
Launched in 2024, MISSION 2026 set out to modernise the rescue helicopter service and elevate patient care. It focused on world-class service delivery, advanced pilot and crew training, and cutting-edge specialist equipment – with fleet modernisation at its core.
Since then, the Trust has purchased four H145 rescue helicopters, three for services across Canterbury and the West Coast and one to support the Nelson Marlborough service. It has also invested $2.7 million in a world-first Entrol cockpit and winch simulator, funded specialist crew training, and equipped the fleet with advanced medical technology.
Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust CEO Anton Drazevic says the scale of what has been achieved in just two years is remarkable.
“MISSION 2026 was a visionary undertaking – a project that demanded ambition, dedication and a belief in what’s possible. Our team dared to dream big, and with the unwavering support of our community, the bold venture has become a milestone that will shape and protect the future of rescue helicopter services in our region.” Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust CEO Anton Drazevic
The MISSION 2026 difference
Machines that will revolutionise the service, training that will enhance efficiency and safety, and a team with the skills and support to save more lives – Critical Care Paramedic Adrian Hurst says that is the difference MISSION 2026 will make.
Adrian is passionate about delivering equitable care to our rural and remote communities.
“No matter where you live, work, or play, the rescue helicopter brings critical skills to the scene with speed. This means our communities can live their lives how they want to, where they want to, knowing the rescue helicopter is there.”
“MISSION 2026 has delivered the biggest improvement in patient care in the history of this 40-year-old service thanks to extraordinary community support and the work of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust. Our crews can’t thank you enough.” Critical Care Paramedic Adrian Hurst
The H145 rescue helicopters are all Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capable. Over the last two years, the Trust has expanded IFR routes across the region and worked with communities to install a network of IFR-capable helipads.
Rescue helicopter pilot and IFR Training Manager Brent Fredericksen says this partnership between the service, the Trust, and the community is going to save more lives, more often.
“We can now fly in more adverse weather, in a machine built for rescue missions. Advanced avionics and life-saving medical technology allows us to respond faster, more safely, and more effectively than ever before.” Rescue Helicopter Pilot Brent Fredericksen.
The story of our new rescue helicopter fleet
The H145 Airbus helicopter is the gold standard in air rescue, ideal for South Island terrain and conditions. With new aircraft carrying a lead time of more than three years, the Trust worked alongside service operator GCH Aviation to secure four H145 helicopters from Rega Air Rescue in Switzerland – a major achievement. After arriving in New Zealand, each underwent a specialist commissioning process.
- The first helicopter arrived in New Zealand in August 2025 and was given registration number IGA. It entered service in December 2025 and is now based on the West Coast, the region’s first H145 helicopter.
- The second and third helicopters, IGB and IGC, arrived in November 2025 and were commissioned in May 2026. IGB remains in Christchurch while IGC serves the Nelson Marlborough region.
- IGD, the helicopter blessed and welcomed on 1 July, arrived in January 2026 and will remain at the GCH Aviation Air Rescue Base in Christchurch, completing the fleet.
All four helicopters are Westpac Rescue Helicopters, with their arrival coinciding with Westpac NZ extending its sponsorship to the West Coast and Nelson Marlborough regions.
Where to now? Future-proofing the rescue helicopter service
Anton Drazevic says today’s celebration belongs to the community.
“Our heartfelt thanks goes to every individual, community group, business, and organisation that has stood by us and believed in what this service could become. Their generosity has turned MISSION 2026 from a vision into a reality.” Anton Drazevic
The Trust’s support of the rescue helicopter service doesn’t stop here. Rescue helicopters require constant, specialist maintenance, medical technology evolves rapidly, and the crews need continuous training to stay competent, confident and ready for anything a rescue mission may bring.
And Anton says while much of the service’s emergency infrastructure is out of sight, without it rescue helicopters can’t reach the people who need them most.
“We are committed to growing emergency infrastructure such as IFR routes, helipads, and weather stations, so we can reach more patients, more often, and in more challenging conditions.”
“Lives depend on the rescue helicopters, and the rescue helicopters will always depend on community support. We hope our community will continue to partner with us as we protect the future of air rescue and preserve this world-class service for generations to come.”
