But one of the most significant moments of the night wasn’t measured in dollars.

Search and Rescue Services Limited (SRSL) announced that Tairāwhiti’s new H145 rescue helicopter would carry the Flight Radar call sign Careflight 35 – a reference to State Highway 35 and the East Coast communities the service has supported for decades.

The call sign was presented to the Trust in a specially framed display during the evening, before the frame itself went under the hammer and sold for $7,000.

Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust Chair Ian Parker says the gesture was a fitting acknowledgement of the strong connection between the rescue helicopter and the communities it serves.

“Careflight 35 is a name that belongs to our region. State Highway 35 connects so many of the communities our helicopter serves, and there is a very strong connection between the people of the Coast and this service,” he says.

“To have that recognised in the call sign of our new helicopter was a very special moment for the Trust and for everyone in the room.”

The auction, held in conjunction with naming rights sponsor Bayleys Real Estate, was again strongly supported by local businesses, sponsors and the wider community.

Among the major auction items was the Bucket List fishing trip to American Samoa, which sold for an impressive $21,500, while the South Island Wonderland package sold for $7,200.

A ute supplied by Gisborne Motors Ford was another major item on the night, generating a healthy surplus for the Trust after reaching its reserve price.

Mr Parker says raising $143,111 was an exceptional result and reflected the importance Tairāwhiti continued to place on having a highly capable rescue helicopter service available to the region.

“The generosity of this community continues to humble us. We never take that support for granted, and to see people and businesses step up again in this way is incredibly important to the Trust.”

The auction came at a particularly significant time, with the region’s new $20 million H145 rescue helicopter arriving in Tairāwhiti just a day before the event.

Guests were able to see the new aircraft as they arrived for the auction.

The H145 brings increased technology, capability and capacity to the region and represents a major step forward for the service. The aircraft is largely funded through Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and ACC investment, while the Trust will continue to contribute towards operating costs and additional equipment.

“Seeing that helicopter sitting there as people arrived really brought home what this community has helped build and support over many years,” Mr Parker says.

“This aircraft is here for everyone in Tairāwhiti – from our urban communities to some of the most isolated parts of the East Coast, and for visitors to our region who may one day need it.”

Since last year’s auction, the rescue helicopter crew has completed 346 missions and more than 415 flight hours.

The Trust requires more than $700,000 each year to support the operation of the 24/7 service, including funding equipment and other costs associated with maintaining a highly capable aeromedical operation.

Mr Parker also acknowledged the service’s pilots, air crew officers and critical care paramedics, who continually train and upskill to provide critical care and search and rescue capability across the region.

The evening also included the public recognition of retiring Trustee Jane Williams and her contribution to the Trust.

Mr Parker thanked naming rights sponsor Bayleys Real Estate, which has partnered with the Trust for 16 years, along with Juken New Zealand, Bidfood, PAK’nSAVE and the many other businesses and individuals who contributed to the event.

He also acknowledged auctioneers Neville and Cody Clark, MC Brodie Kane, who donated her fee back to the Trust, and the volunteers and supporters who helped make the evening possible.

“This is what community support looks like,” Mr Parker says.

“Careflight 35 now carries a name that reflects where it belongs, and the $143,111 raised will help ensure our crews have the equipment and support they need when our community calls on them.”