Stories
March 10, 2026
For Gregor, spending three days a week on Kawau Island is part of a life he describes as “very blessed.” But living remotely comes with its challenges, especially when a medical emergency strikes.
While recently working in the garden at his island property, Gregor was stung on the hand by what he believes was a paper wasp. It wasn’t his first sting, but this time was very different.
“I went back inside, took an antihistamine and waited to see what would happen,” he recalls. “But I had a very fast, immediate reaction, overheating, swelling, and I felt like I was about to lose consciousness.”
Gregor had experienced a severe reaction to a sting in December 2025 and had since been prescribed an EpiPen. Recognising the signs of anaphylaxis, he administered it himself, remembering the ‘blue to the sky, orange to the thigh’ mnemonic.
“It didn’t seem to make much difference. I knew I didn’t have much time.”
With no resident doctor or ambulance service on the island, local volunteers from the Kawau Emergency Response Team were quickly dispatched via 111. On arrival they cooled Gregor with ice packs and transported him in his own off-road vehicle down to the foreshore, where a boat was waiting to take him to the landing site for the rescue helicopter.
From here, the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew immediately took over the care of Gregor.
“They monitored my blood pressure and heart, made sure I was stable, then got me onto the stretcher and into the helicopter. They put a line in, gave me medication, and flew me to Auckland Hospital.”
After six to seven hours of monitoring in ED, Gregor was discharged, grateful and reflective.
“There’s no ambulance and no doctor on the island, just a volunteer emergency response team made up of locals who give their time to help others. Knowing the rescue helicopter is there when you need it is an outstanding service. I’m very, very appreciative. They just couldn’t be better.”
Having now experienced two severe allergic reactions, Gregor is exploring long-term treatment options with an immunologist and ensuring he always carries multiple EpiPens.
“It’s cheaper than a helicopter ride,” he jokes, his sense of humour clearly intact.
Gregor, who is also co-founder of Freedom Farms, says community support matters, whether it’s backing ethical farming or lifesaving services.
For those living in remote or island communities around the greater Auckland region, the rescue helicopter is often the critical link between a life-threatening emergency and getting to advanced hospital care as quickly as possible.
And for Gregor, it made all the difference.
