Police say the round-the-clock running of the Eagle helicopter is a "game-changer" for Auckland.
The funding for the helicopter - now manned by 14 staff, up from eight, 24 hours a day, seven days per week - came from the Government's $388 million Safer Communities package.
It had been operating Monday to Saturday, but as of today, it will operate full time in a bid to provide "essential support" to on-the-ground police staff tasked with keeping Auckland communities safe.
Sergeant Callum Young heads the Eagle Unit and told NZH Focus it's a challenging but vital job.
"We can provide something that no other asset in New Zealand can provide. And we believe we give the frontline staff a distinct advantage in fighting crime when we're involved."