The Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter completed 352 missions in 2025, down from 379 in 2024. Photo / Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter
The Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter completed 352 missions in 2025, down from 379 in 2024. Photo / Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter
Fewer people required critical air medical and rescue services during 2025, according to figures released by Hawke’s Bay’s Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service.
During 2025, 352 missions were completed, down from 379 in 2024.
The vast majority of the region’s missions were to airlift hospitalised patients requiring further specialist treatment,known as Inter Hospital Transfers (IHTs), totalling 160 as of December 31.
This was followed by 100 accident-related missions, 73 medical missions and 19 search and rescues.
Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust CEO Andy Quayle said the most notable decline was for search and rescue.
“Whilst we recorded 27 fewer missions overall compared to 2024, we also recorded the lowest number of search and rescue missions since 2019 and just half the number of search and rescues on 2024.
He said the numbers were “hugely positive” and reflect a combination of people taking more care.
There was 100 accident-related missions in 2025. Photo / Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter
“As a country renowned for its outdoor pursuits and remote terrain, the need for rescue helicopters as an essential service never wavers.
“If you, or someone you love, ever finds themselves in a time-critical emergency, it’s highly likely that the rescue helicopter will be deployed to assist.”
Base Manager and senior Pilot, Bill Hartree, said the types of missions have remained broadly consistent over the past twelve months, with a steady mix of trauma, medical and IHTs.
“We reported a consistently high tempo again last year, and the team continues to perform exceptionally well in often unpredictable and challenging conditions.
Hartree said the professionalism, teamwork, and calm under pressure he saw every day was a real credit to the team.
“Importantly, we’ve seen strong patient outcomes overall, which speaks to both the clinical expertise on board and the coordinated response from our partners on the ground.”
With summer nearly ending, he anticipated that emergency response teams would continue to face an increase in demand as warmer weather typically leads to a rise in incidents such as boating accidents, fishing mishaps, and other recreational emergencies.
The current Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter will be phased out following the arrival of the new Airbus H145 D3. Photo / Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter
Hartree said it was a privilege to be in a position to assist those in need.
“While such operations can be challenging, the satisfaction of making a life-saving difference is unparalleled.”
Quayle said it heralds an exciting step forward for Hawke’s Bay’s air rescue services.
“To be able to offer an aircraft of this calibre, with its impressive capabilities, to respond to emergency situations anywhere in our region or across New Zealand is an important milestone for aviation services in Hawke’s Bay.”
The new Airbus will provide crew: enhanced safety features, a greater ability to access and conduct missions that they currently need to decline, enhanced patient and crew comfort, longer mission range through greater fuel capacity, and an increased weight limit enabling transport of multiple patents /whānau if required.
The current BK117 has been in operation since 2018 and will be phased out once the H145 arrives mid 2026.
In anticipation of its arrival Hartree said he was eager to ensure the hangar facilities are fit-for-purpose to accommodate the new asset.
“In preparation for our new machine, we’ve had the opportunity to bring an H145 into the hangar to assess fit and function.
He said while the trial confirmed they can technically accommodate the H145, it’s clear that operating efficiently within the current space will be challenging in the long run.
