FAQ's

Yes, the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust is a registered charity in New Zealand. Our registration number is CC22791

The helicopter is based on the grounds of the Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital at the Graeme Lowe Rescue Helicopter Hangar, Orchard Road, Hastings.

Anyone and everyone in a critical condition in the region. 

 We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The are several reasons why the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter may be deployed including; 

• If the situation is time critical, for example, if the accident or injury is so severe that the patient needs to be taken to hospital swiftly
• If the patient needs urgent medical transportation to specalist hospital 
• If the emergency is in a remote location that a land ambulance would find difficult to reach 

When a call is made to the emergency 111 number, the EACC (Emergency Ambulance Communication Centre) assesses the nature of the emergency and determine what services are required. If the EACC determines that the Rescue Helicopter service is required, the local Rescue Helicopter service will be deployed. 

No. All of our services are complete free of charge to anyone who may need them. 

On average, we fly over 400 life saving missions each year. You can keep up to date with our latest missions on our missions log. 

The Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter has one main helicopter that services the Hawke's Bay region, and we are able to utilise a back up helicopter when required.

Our Rescue Helicopter is a BK117 B2.  

This model is twin engine for safety, and has an interior designed for the provision of patient care, maximum efficiency, and the capacity to be multi-role. The BK117 has an external winch, and has a spacious cabin/cargo compartment to allow full access to the patient. 

Our yearly operating costs are around $2.5 million, and while we recover some costs from the District Health Board, ACC and MOU, we need to fundraise a further $1.25 million each year to keep our service flying

Of course! You can organise a time to visit the rescue helicopter by calling (06) 878 1630. You will need to read and sign the HBHRT safety form about the safety requirements of base visits before visiting.

No, we are happy to have people visit the hangar.

Thank you so much! You can donate here!

Thank you! It are grateful to all our fundraisers, after all it's only with the support of people like you that we able to remain operational. Depending on the type of event you are organising, we can help to support you by; 

• Providing collection buckets
• Helping with press and media
• Providing our logo for use on your promotional material 
• Spreading the word about your event on our blog or on social media 

Please give Amber a call on 06 878 1630 or email mfm@hbhrt.org.nz for more information on how we can support you 

Absolutely! Volunteers are an essential asset to the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust, and we are always looking for willing people to help us achieve our aims! You don’t need any previous experience to volunteer with the Trust - a willing heart, enthusiasm and a ‘can do’ attitude are much more important to us.  There are three ways that you can volunteer with us: 

• Event volunteering: Help to make a difference by volunteering at one of our events. Our volunteers play a vital role in making events a success by promoting events locally, helping to serve refreshments, or forming a cheer squad. 
• Community Fundraising: Support the Rescue Helicopter by helping us to organise social events, such as coffee mornings, afternoon teas, collection days, or sausage sizzles. We’ll provide you with training and advice, and every dollar you raise will enable us to continue our vital services. 
• Administrative Support: Work alongside our staff providing administrative support on a wide range of tasks – answering and making telephone calls, editing photographs or film, inputting data, or helping with mail outs. 

Visit our Volunteering Page to download our information pack, or call Amber on 06 878 1630 or email mfm@hbhrt.org.nz for more information. 

At the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust, we are committed to protecting our supporter’s privacy. Any information that is supplied to us will be held by the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust only, and may be used to:

• Inform supporters about the work of the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust
• Send acknowledgements and tax receipts for donations

Our full Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement can be found here.