This story was prepared by Philips Search and Rescue Trust and is being published by the New Zealand Herald as advertorial.

Pilot says new aircraft’s missing part will save lives in steep terrain.

Jase Kirkland is no stranger to emergency missions.

The seasoned pilot is the base manager for the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter service based in Taupō, which is in line for a state-of-the-art H145 twin-engine Airbus as the main aircraft serving the Central Plateau and Lakes region next year.

Kirkland says the new helicopter is a far superior aircraft that will make a real difference – but it needs a winch. The rescue helicopter team needs to raise $616,071 for it and is calling on the community for help.

Kirkland says the rescue winch is “an essential part of the operation”.

He would know. Jase’s career includes flying 600 nautical miles to Raoul Island to rescue injured Department of Conservation staff, plus flying supplies and vehicles to Banda Aceh in Indonesia after its devastating tsunami wiped out roads. He’s also executed medivac missions out of the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea and worked with alpine rescue teams in Austria.

“There have been numerous occasions that I can recall where the people we have transported to hospital would not have survived if they were not able to be flown swiftly and receive urgent medical assistance,” Kirkland says.

Kirkland started flying helicopters transporting hunters, fishermen and conservation staff into isolated forest parks and became a relief pilot for Philips Search and Rescue Trust before venturing overseas.

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Kirkland reunited with the rescue helicopter family in 2023, joining the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter Base’s 12 fulltime crew “who love living in this beautiful region and enjoy the outdoors”.

“In the central North Island there are so many places we go where we just can’t land because of dense canopy in the bush etc, so we use the winch.

“It can save hours and hours on the ground searching, or being able to get ground crews in. It’s a big part of what we do, especially in our region with our mountains and steep terrain.”

He’s also proud to be part of the rescue helicopter service “supporting our community”, he says.

Kirkland is looking forward to next year’s helicopter upgrade, as the H145 Airbus offers increased performance, fuel endurance, and greater ability to fly through clouds between airports and hospitals. But the need for a rescue winch is crucial, he says.

Kirkland hopes the region’s incredible community support for the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter winch appeal continues, significantly helping the rescue helicopter team’s fundraising efforts.

Principal sponsors the Greenlea Foundation Trust are matching every dollar raised, making any donations towards the winch especially valuable.

The rescue helicopter team is also fundraising via a helicopter scavenger hunt with local stores, a green dress-up day complete with prizes, and a colouring competition for the children.

People can donate or find out more information by visiting the rescue helicopter’s Greenlea Chopper Winch Challenge on Facebook and online.

“Every dollar counts, and we appreciate all our community support,” Kirkland says.

People can donate online or call us on 0800 11 10 10.