Kaitaia baby born during helicopter ride

Photo / Thinkstock

The Northland Electricity rescue helicopter is used to getting sick and injured patients to hospital in plenty of time, but on Saturday it made an early delivery - a baby was born aboard as it rushed to Whangarei.

Northland Emergency Services Trust pilot Pete Turnbull said the helicopter was called out to Kaitaia about 4pm to transport a mother in a difficult labour to Whangarei Hospital.

He got the chopper to the town about 4.30pm and turned back after picking up the woman, her partner, a support person and a midwife.

But, as the chopper flew over Kaikohe, Mr Turnbull knew something was afoot when St John paramedic Sam Johanson asked him how long it would be before they reached Whangarei.

"Sam rarely says much or lets anything unsettle him, but when he asked how long before we got back that was an indication he was anxious to get back ASAP."

The pilot said he kept his eyes on the route ahead to avoid being distracted by the action behind as the baby was delivered by Mr Johanson and the midwife.

"We left Kaitaia with seven people on board and landed with eight," Mr Turnbull said.

"But it's not he first baby born on board, I think this was our third or even fourth."

The "rescue helicopter delivery suite" also saw Tamaho Paora born aboard in 2003.