Life Flight expands New Zealand’s Central North Island support with NZ$1-million grant
The operator will be using the New Zealand Community Trust grant to extend its critical medical care with a fourth fixed-wing air ambulance
Currently operating the Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter and three Beechcraft King Air 200C air ambulances, Life Flight will be adding a fourth air ambulance plane to its fleet which will be permanently based at Hamilton Airport, New Zealand. Made possible by a substantial NZ$1 million grant from New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT), support will extend to Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Northland, Gisborne, Manawatū-Whanganui, and beyond.
Mark Johnston, Chief Executive, Life Flight, commented: “The air ambulance, based at Hamilton Airport, will provide faster response times and improved accessibility to emergency medical care for local and rural communities.”
The $1 million grant from NZCT will finance a significant portion of this fourth air ambulance plane, with the remainder covered by fundraising from Life Flight’s community of donors, partners and sponsors.
Mike Knell, NZCT Chief Executive, said: “NZCT is a proud community partner of Life Flight’s mission to provide critical air ambulance services to Kiwis in need. We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to support this expansion of world-class aeromedical services across central New Zealand with a dedicated Life Flight air ambulance plane based in Hamilton.”
Wyoming Life Flight recently announced that it now carries whole blood on its aircraft.
Chloe Fox
Chloe Fox is a Junior Editor at Voyageur Group, having joined in 2024. She writes for ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision, and air medical transportation. Chloe holds a BA (Hons) in English and an MA in English Literature from the University of Bristol.