At the core of our service is a fleet of rescue helicopters capable of reaching people in remote, difficult, and time-critical situations across our region. From winch rescues and accident responses to inter-hospital transfers and search and rescue, these aircraft let our crews deliver advanced clinical care wherever it's needed - from Cape Rēinga to the Coromandel, and beyond when required.
Supporting them on the ground are our Rapid Response Vehicles, which extend our reach by road and provide additional capability when flying isn't an option. Together, the helicopters and RRVs operate as one coordinated service across Northland, Auckland, and the Coromandel.
Below is a closer look at the aircraft and vehicles that make up the fleet.
We are continuing to invest in the future of aeromedical care with a modern, high-performing helicopter fleet designed to meet the growing and complex needs of our region. At the heart of this investment is our transition to the Leonardo AW169 - a new generation aircraft that delivers enhanced safety, reliability, and capability for modern patient care. Purpose-built for demanding rescue environments, these helicopters allow our crews to operate with greater precision, confidence, and efficiency when it matters most.
Standardising our fleet around the AW169 brings significant benefits. It increases operational safety, reduces maintenance downtime, and improves overall efficiency-maximising the time we can spend delivering lifesaving services to our communities. Whether responding in Northland, Auckland, or the Coromandel, this investment ensures more consistent, high-quality care across the region.
Northern Rescue’s evolving fleet currently includes five AW169s, one BK117, and two Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. These aircraft support a wide range of missions - from winch rescues and accident responses to inter-hospital transfers and search and rescue operations - serving communities from Cape Rēinga to Coromandel, and beyond when needed across the North Island.
As we move through 2026 and into 2027, we are transitioning to a fully standardised fleet of AW169 helicopters. Two will be based in Whangārei at Onerahi Airport, with three operating from our Ardmore base in Auckland. Our BK117 will remain as a vital backup aircraft, ensuring we can maintain strong operational coverage and deploy up to three rescue helicopters in each region when required.
Northland’s two white Sikorsky S-76 helicopters will continue to play an important role in the interim, supporting operations until the newer red and yellow AW169s are fully operational. Over time, these older aircraft will be retired as part of our commitment to modernisation.
This transition is about more than new aircraft—it’s about delivering a safer, more reliable, and more efficient service for the people who depend on us. By investing in a modern, standardised fleet, we are strengthening our ability to be there when every second counts, for every community we serve.
Alongside our rescue helicopter fleet, we operate Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) from both our Whangārei and Ardmore bases - extending our reach and ensuring we can respond quickly, even when flying isn’t an option.
These vehicles play a vital role in supporting our aeromedical operations. Staffed by our highly skilled clinicians, RRVs allow us to deliver urgent care on the ground, respond rapidly to incidents nearby, and provide seamless support to our helicopter missions. Having our RRVs able to quickly hit the road with our clinicians at the wheel provides additional peace of mind for local communities—because help is never far away.
We also deploy our RRVs to deliver a critical care team directly to patients by road when required, working alongside our partners at Hato Hone St John to augment the care already being provided by ambulance crews. This ensures patients receive the highest level of clinical support as early as possible.
Equipped with life-saving technology, our RRVs effectively bring aspects of a mobile, on-road emergency room to the scene. This capability has helped hundreds of people over the years - often in life-threatening situations - by enabling rapid, advanced intervention when and where it’s needed most.
Each RRV is outfitted with essential critical care equipment, including monitors, ventilators, LUCAS devices, ultrasound, syringe drivers, and oxygen. This level of capability significantly improves a patient’s chances of survival and recovery.
In addition, our RRVs provide operational resilience. They act as a third set of equipment that can be relied on as a backup resource if primary gear on a rescue helicopter is undergoing maintenance or temporarily out of service.
Our RRVs are made possible through the generosity of our major sponsor, SG Fleet, whose support goes above and beyond for the communities we serve. Their contribution helps ensure we can continue delivering rapid, high-quality care - wherever it’s needed, whenever it matters most.
Join us to hear more about our mission, and how you can help save lives in your community.
