The New Zealand government invested in seven more emergency helicopters to replace parts of the country’s ageing air ambulance fleet. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said an additional $12.6 million is being provided this financial year, with $7.3 million from Health New Zealand and $5.3 million from the Accident Compensation Commission (ACC), to help service providers transition to newer aircraft.

“In 2024, New Zealand’s helicopter fleet was the oldest in the developed world, and the coalition government has invested to help fix that,” says Costello. “Our air ambulance helicopters play a vital role in saving lives around New Zealand. This is particularly true for those living in remote, rural or regional areas.”

She adds that last year’s $14.7 million investment funded nine replacement helicopters and that the new commitment will bring the total to sixteen aircraft in operation. “The new helicopters provide improved safety, more reliable service, a better capacity to respond in bad weather conditions, reduced maintenance costs, greater fuel efficiency and better operational performance.”

The Minister was speaking at an event marking the entry of a new Airbus H145 into Wellington-based Life Flight’s fleet. It is the fourth replacement helicopter to enter service since last year, with others already operating from Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland. Two more aircraft are being prepared for Auckland and Northland, while additional helicopters are planned for Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Taranaki. Costello said the newly announced aircraft should be operational by mid-next year.