Northland Emergency Services Trust

[1] The concept for the Northland Emergency Services Trust was conceived at a public meeting called at the request of the Auckland Surf Club in 1988.

After discussion, the St John contingent said: “We can do the same job for the same money, but for the whole year.” Since then, NEST transported the first patient on Tuesday 15 November 1988 and has since carried more than 20,000 passengers.

NEST currently operate two Sikorsky S-76 helicopters (Helimed-4, and Helimed-5)[2] in Search and Rescue, Medevac, and Hospital transfer roles from its base next to St John's ambulance centre, adjacent to Kensington Park.

Its operational range covers a radius of 270 km (170 mi) from its base, making it suitable for all of Northland, extending south beyond Auckland, and offshore work.

The helicopters are set up to allow two pilots, two patients on horizontal stretchers and four medical support staff to occupy the cabin.