New rescue helicopter fleet takes flight in Canterbury and the West Coast

The final of four new Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue helicopters is taking to the skies today in the final step of a major fleet overhaul.

Throughout a two-year upgrade project, the service has also gained a $2.7 million flight and winch simulator, expanded pilot training, new medical equipment and helipad upgrades.

Three of the new Airbus H145 helicopters will serve Canterbury and the West Coast, while a fourth will support Nelson and Marlborough.

Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust chief executive Anton Durazovic said the new helicopters would mean faster travel times, smoother flights and the ability to respond in challenging weather conditions.

"With the better kit, better technology, better training, it enables our pilots and support crew to get through those tougher conditions to where our community members need them the most," he said.

The service covered the largest air rescue region in New Zealand, comprising 63,000 km² and 730,000 people, he said.

"The team are on call seven days a week, and the diversity of their call-outs ranges from patient transfer from hospital to hospital, as well as emergency response if a hiker's stuck in the hills, car accidents, and everything in between."

The Airbus H145 helicopters, which would be branded as Westpac Rescue Helicopters, were the gold standard in air rescue and ideal for South Island terrain, the trust said.

Critical care paramedic Adrian Hurst said the upgrades were the biggest improvement to patient care in the history of the 40-year-old service.

Crews could not thank the trust and the community enough for their extraordinary support, he said.

"This means our communities can live their lives how they want to, where they want to, knowing the rescue helicopter is there," he said.

A celebration event and blessing were planned for Wednesday afternoon in Christchurch.

Durazovic said the trust would continue growing its emergency infrastructure, including instrument flight rules-capable routes, helipads and weather stations, so it could reach more patients, more often, and in more challenging conditions.