Rotorua and Taupo MPs seek answers over rescue chopper services

Bay Trust Rotorua Rescue Helicopter. Photo/File

Rotorua MP Todd McClay and Taupo MP Louise Upston have expressed serious concern following the possible cut to local rescue helicopter services across the Central Plateau and Bay of Plenty areas.

"It is very concerning that local rescue helicopters in Rotorua and Taupo may no longer receive Government funding after being left out of the Government's request for proposals to provide helicopter rescue services," Upston said in a media release.

"It is unacceptable that this essential service is at risk of being moved away from this region. The Rotorua and Taupo helicopters have helped to save hundreds and hundreds of lives and are an important part of a timely rescue response service for our region," McClay added.

"At this stage it's unclear why Taupo and Rotorua have been excluded from the Government's request for proposals.

"These two locally based helicopters have a huge amount of local support and people in Rotorua and Taupo will be extremely concerned to learn of another cut to regional services."

McClay and Upston said they would be seeking answers from this Ardern-Peters Government.

"Our communities have not been included in this important discussion and local helicopter trusts were blindsided at being excluded. The coalition Government has talked about supporting the regions but their actions show the opposite," Upston said.

McClay said money was raised each year by the communities to support their rescue helicopters.

"The Government needs to include Rotorua and Taupo in this funding round and give local people certainty about the future of rescue helicopters in Rotorua and Taupo."