It will be over a year until the team takes delivery of its fancy new Airbus H145 aircraft but, in the interim, there has been another change overhead.

After just seven months’ flying the BK-117 helicopter (ZK-IIX) that was an upgrade from its former machine, the team has undergone another switch that will be obvious to all who see them going about their business.

They have pressed into service a different BK-117, but this time it is painted in the brightest of greens.

And that’s good news for heli-spotters as, in daylight at least, green is the most visible colour to the human eye.

Until recently, ZK-HCX has served the Central Plateau and Lakes region as the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter . . . hence it’s green livery.

It will stay that way as, with the new, state-of-the-art aircraft under production, the prohibitive cost of a full repaint could not be justified.

“In fact, it is quite ironic that we have this helicopter serving our community given its recent history being branded by Greenlea,” says EHRT chair Ian Parker.

“That company’s founders are from Gisborne’s own Egan whanau, who have a long association with meat-processing origins within our region and many of this well-respected family still live in our community.”

In terms of performance, Gisborne base manager Shaun Stewart says HCX brings the same engine- and winch-power as IIX so the team can continue to quickly (and safely) deliver critical rescue services in and beyond the Tairāwhiti region.

But with new H145s coming into commission Search and Rescue Services Ltd – which manages operations for five North Island organisations, including Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust – decided changes were needed for efficiency across its entire fleet.

“It will certainly be a visual change but it is business-as-usual from the Gisborne hangar,” Mr Parker says.

“We work hard to ensure our team has the best possible equipment to help with our aim of achieving equitable access to healthcare for all members of our community, wherever they may be.”

CAPTION: MISSION POSSIBLE: The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team’s new “green machine” (ZK-HCX) has already proved its worth on missions as close to home as Ruatoria (pictured), and as far afield as Waikato Hospital.