Rescue chopper to get its own pad

by Gill Alcock

Nov 16 2011

A permanent landing pad for the Westpac rescue helicopter is in sight after years of ever changing locations.

The new helipad which will cater for emergency landings at all hours of the day and night, in all weathers, will be paid for by a fundraising event in the new year.

Bob Parkinson, chief executive of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust which operates the Westpac rescue helicopter, announced the event will be a garden party on Sunday January 15.

The trust needs to raise $120,000 for the pad.

The Man O’ War Summer Brunch will be at the Man O’ War Vineyards Tasting Room.

It will begin in style with Fullers providing a 300-person ferry to take party-goers to Man O’ War Bay and bring them back.

The ferry will leave Auckland at 9am, calling in to Matiatia to pick up Waiheke passengers at 9.45am and transport them to Man O’ War Bay for a 10.45am start. The ferry will leave Man O’ War Bay at 2.45pm with a stop at Matiatia before returning to Auckland.

This will be the first time that the Man O’ War Tasting Room has opened for a charity function of this size.

“Everyone who lives on Waiheke knows how vital the Westpac helicopter is to all the residents here, and we want to do everything we can to help the helicopter crew to do the best job they can for Waiheke,” Berridge Spencer of Man O’ War Vineyards says.

The construction of the planned helipad with appropriate lighting and GPS co-ordinates would mean the helicopter could provide a reliable, all-weather service for Waiheke medical and rescue emergencies, Bob Parkinson says.

“About 40 percent of our total callouts are to Waiheke so it is good to see the community getting behind this project. The helipad will be a significant enhancement to our operations in the Gulf Islands and we really appreciate the Spencer family getting behind this event to make this new facility a reality.”

Ticket price is $160 per head and includes the return ferry trip. Live and silent auctions will be held to help raise the goal of $120,000. Anyone willing to donate auctions items can do so at the email below.

As guest numbers will be limited to 300, those wishing to attend should register by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with their name, contact details and number of tickets required.