Baby born in helicopter

A Bay of Plenty woman gave birth to a baby daughter in an airborne helicopter this morning.

Tenon Rescue Helicopter was sent to Waihau Bay, on the East Cape, about 11am to airlift a woman who had gone into labour.

Rotorua-based pilot Barry Vincent said the 30-year-old woman was already having contractions when the helicopter arrived.

"We thought we could make it to hospital, but the baby had other ideas," he said.

The woman "very quickly gave birth" in the air about 10km from Opotiki.

Mr Vincent said he landed the helicopter so the paramedic crew could stabilise the mother and her baby.

On arrival at Whakatane hospital, mother and child were both "comfortable and stable".

- NZPA