The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust presented its 2025-26 annual report to an Otago Regional Council (ORC) meeting today.

The Annual Report was presented by Stephen Woodhead, Trustee of the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, and Graeme Gale, from the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Service.

The Trust provides co-funding with the Crown for day-to-day operations, as well as fully funding new innovations and additional equipment.

The service is also supported by the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust. Trustee of the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, Stephen Woodhead, said “our community’s generosity enables us to support the world-class service we all rely on across the lower South Island”.

Over the past year, the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust has provided nearly $1.4m to the service. Funds have assisted with new capnography units, temperature gauges, helmets, and life rafts. New sets of Night Vision Goggles are on order and are expected to arrive early in the New Year.

Helicopters Otago Ltd operates the service and was instrumental in introducing NVGs for use in rescue helicopters in New Zealand.

Managing Director, Graeme Gale, said that “emergencies happen all hours of the day and night and without NVGs we simply wouldn’t be able to respond to up to 50% of the patients we are called to.

The NVGs provide safety for our crews and patients, and we are grateful to the Trust and the Community for enabling us to carry this type of equipment and all the other additions to what we offer”.

Mr Woodhead said, “the Trust operates with a low overhead structure, so the generous donations from our community can go straight through to supporting the service for our region”. “Groups and generous individuals have undertaken various fundraising activities, provided donations, and bequests, and that ensures the region maintains a world-class rescue helicopter service”.

Mr Woodhead recorded special thanks to the Trust’s Platinum Sponsor, Landpower Group. “Herby and Pam Whyte and the whole team at Landpower are very committed to supporting the service and the rural communities we all work within”, said Mr Woodhead.

He also recorded thanks to the Otago Regional Council for its long-time support and welcomed on board Port Otago Ltd as the Trust’s newest community partner, along with the Trust’s other key community partner, ILT.

The Trust noted its special thanks also to Graeme and Ros Gale (Helicopters Otago Ltd), and the teams of pilots, paramedics, engineers and all who contribute to ensuring life-saving care is brought to patients across the lower South Island, 24/7, 365 days of the year.

“Our region is geographically challenging, and weather conditions provide additional challenges – the local knowledge and expertise of the teams provide the best possible response for us all”.

ORC Chair, Hilary Calvert, thanked the Trust and the Operator of the Service for providing the update to Council. “None of us knows when we or our loved ones will need this service, and, on behalf of our community, I record our thanks to all involved in playing such an important role in saving lives and helping communities throughout Otago and Southland, on a 24/7 basis. I’m pleased that Otago Regional Council will continue to support the Trust’s important work as owner of Port Otago.”

Port Otago’s Chief Executive, Kevin Winders, says that joining the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust’s family of supporters is a great fit for the company. Port Otago is the lower South Island’s primary export port. With the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Service providing a life saving response across our full geographical reach, coming on board as a Community Partner presented an opportunity to make a positive difference in our wider community, at times when individuals most need it. Port Otago is owned by the community, and we are delighted to provide this significant investment back into that same community.”

To view the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust’s 2026 Annual Report, visit https://www.otagorescue.co.nz/about/the-trust