Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter

The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter is based at Taieri Airfield, Dunedin and serves the whole Otago and Southland areas with its specialised patient retrieval service. We are currently the only Rescue Helicopter Service within New Zealand to have a second twin engine BK117 available as and when required. This enables us to respond when there are multiple patients with a fully equipped ICU team to assist with any major trauma.

The level of patient care provided on board is the highest standard possible as it incorporates the Hospital Intensive Care Retrieval Team. This helicopter meets all the requirements of a Category A Rescue Helicopter.

This modern helicopter has had extensive upgrades to its avionics. Recent upgrades to the cockpit area enhance our night NVG capabilities. The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter has developed into one of the most advanced services for all types of air rescue work in New Zealand. The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter is a fully dedicated rescue helicopter available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Response times for helicopter activation is:-

< 10 minutes during daylight hours < 20 minutes at night

The operational area for the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter covers Southern Region, South Island (south of the Waitaki River including Stewart Island, west through to the Haast Pass).

The Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust holds the current ACC and MOH contracts for the Southern Region, South Island. The Rescue Helicopter is a multi role aircraft providing services for interhospital transfers, primary accident and medical response, Search and Rescue, Police, RCCNZ and Maritime New Zealand operations. The retrieval service provided by the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust to the Southern Region incorporates approximately 28% of New Zealand’s land mass and approximately 8% of the population.