The Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance

The Philips Search and Rescue Trust has operated the air ambulance in Hamilton since 1987. The Hamilton-based helicopter, known as the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance, covers the Waikato, King Country and Bay of Plenty regions and sometimes well beyond.

Since the inception of the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance service in Hamilton, the number of missions carried out each year has increased substantially with in excess of 6000 patients having been transported - an average of 50 patients per month. The fixed-wing aircraft is used for longer distance flights and is a crucial part of the service. It allows the helicopter to remain closer to the areas where it is most needed.

Often, the helicopter is called on to get paramedics and rescue crew into remote locations, such as forestry or distant farming and bush areas, where people have been badly injured and need urgent attention. A large number of calls are for accidents involving motor vehicles, as well as incidents on farms and those related to recreational pursuits.

As well, the helicopter and specialist crew play major roles in search and rescue work on land or at sea, and also to support the police with armed defender callouts.

The Waikato Hospital is New Zealands' second largest hospital and services the largest region. Many of the smaller, outlying hospitals do not have specialist staff or facilities and therefore utilise the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance to provide the transport link for patients requiring the specialist services of Waikato Hospital .

The Bell222B helicopter and its expert crew of pilots, paramedics, and officers of the Police force, respond quickly and effectively to all emergencies to ensure delivery of the best level of service; a service made possible through donations of time, money, goods and services from local businesses, service groups and the community at large.

The service is available to everyone living in the region, and is also widely used by visitors, travellers and tourists who are in the area and experience illness or accident.

The Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance is one of five rescue helicopter services in the Central North Island operated and managed by the Philips Search & Rescue Trust.

Hangar

The Jennian Air Ambulance Hangar is situated in the grounds of the Waikato Hospital thereby requiring only a short stretcher journey between helipad and hospital. The hangar/office facility was built by Jennian Homes with the support of a number of associated companies.