Pride of NZ Awards: Greg Brownson

Vote for your favourite finalist at www.prideofnzawards.co.nz Greg Brownson gets up at 5.30 and starts work at seven. His helicopters save four people per day, on average. He loves his job. “Even when I’m not on shift I’m still here at 7 to see the guys change over.” Auckland’s Rescue Helicopter Trust has 26 operational staff. Mr Brownson is the most senior of the lot. Brownson has a warm, responsible, organised voice – but now that he gets to play with night vision goggles in his fourth decade on the job, he can be forgiven for sounding excitable. Brownson estimated he is responsible for 1.4 million people in the Auckland-Great Barrier-Waihi catchment. The numbers don’t bother a helicopter hero. He is the longest active serving member of the crew and has performed close to 2000 often lifesaving rescues.