Philips Search & Rescue Trust
The charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters
Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter
TECT Rescue Helicopter
Greenlea Rescue Helicopter
Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter
Westpac Air Ambulance
Our History
Philips Search and Rescue Trust (PSRT) was founded in 1985 after an endowment by a private company, Philips New Zealand Ltd, to mark a light aircraft crash in which two Philips NZ Ltd employees lost their lives.
After instigating one of the largest privately organised searches ever seen in New Zealand, the company made an endowment to initiate a Trust with the objective of providing the highest possible standard of air rescue and emergency helicopter services in the central North Island. Philips Search & Rescue Trust became a dedicated, full-time service in 1987.
Board of trustees: David Wickham (Secretary), Errol Millar (Executive Chairman), Terry Burcher (Trustee), Patricia Bayley (Trustee), Stewart Davies (Trustee)