>>> THE LION FOUNDATION RESCUE HELICOPTER

The Philips Search and Rescue Trust has operated the Taupo Rescue Helicopter since February 1985. The current principal Funding Partner is the Lion Foundation, a gaming machine charitable trust, hence the name Lion Foundation Rescue Helicopter.

In 1984 the Philips Corporation Chief Executive and Company Promotions Manager were involved in a tragic plane crash near the Desert Road. For several days they remained unaccounted for as search efforts were hampered by particularly bad weather in the area. The official search came to an end without finding any sign of the aircraft or its occupants. Philips then continued the search in a private capacity, eventually finding the aircraft. Unfortunately all on board had perished. This still stands as one of the largest privately funded searches in the history of New Zealand .

The Philips Search and Rescue Trust was founded soon after the accident in January 1985 with the Taupo Rescue Helicopter service starting in February 1985.

To date the Taupo Rescue Helicopter has performed over 2000 missions.