“Securing a new Airbus H145 has been the culmination of several years of planning and focus from trustees and the team to deliver better health and search and rescue services for our community into the future,” said Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust chair Ian Parker.

“There is a great sense of pride in finally reaching this significant milestone and we’re deeply appreciative of the Government funding, alongside the generous community support we receive in order to make upgrades like this possible.”

It won’t happen just yet – the aircraft is scheduled to roll off its German production line and arrive in New Zealand in September 2026, and is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

But it is still over 12 months earlier than expected for what is described as a gamechanger in the industry.

The five-bladed, twin-engined H145 helicopter is a significant step up from the trust’s current BK117 and comes with enhanced patient and crew comfort features; longer mission range through greater fuel capacity; and an increased weight limit, enabling transport of multiple patients and whānau.

At around NZ$20 million it does not come cheap and the actual purchase will be made by Search and Rescue Services Ltd (SRSL), the not-for-profit company formed by five North Island trusts – including Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust (EHRT) — to deliver air ambulance and rescue helicopter services across the North Island, from Wellington to south of the Bombay Hills.

But while EHRT initially had to come up with a healthy deposit, that and the overall purchase price will be returned through a joint funding agreement with central Government.

“Supplying the deposit is a big outing for EHRT trustees, current and past, who accumulated funds through grants, fundraising, donations and bequests and we are thrilled to have achieved this milestone,” Mr Parker said.

“There will be additional investment required for further training of our already highly-skilled crews, and for medical equipment that the new machine will provide opportunities to deliver.

“But together with the incredible support we receive from our community, trustees remain committed to achieving these goals.”