The recent merger of two air medical services—Taranaki Rescue Helicopter and Taranaki Air Ambulance—into one entity named Medi-Flight Taranaki highlights a significant shift aimed at improving healthcare services in the region. This new charitable organization is modeled after Wellington-based Life Flight, which is known for its efficiency and dedicated service.
According to Evan Cottam, the chairperson of Medi-Flight, this consolidation is more than just uniting two operational entities; it is about enhancing the overall healthcare infrastructure within Taranaki. He emphasized, "By merging these services under one organisation, we will offer more effective coordination and pool resources, which will benefit the community." With both services logging over 900 operational hours last year—421 hours for the rescue helicopter and 493 for the air ambulance—the merger is expected to streamline operations and maximize resource utilization.
Cottam outlined the continued commitment to high-quality patient care, stating, "It will be the same faces ready to leap to action. The Taranaki community can continue to trust they will have access to life-saving medical services when needed, whether it's through first responders at the scene of accidents or transport to specialized medical care unavailable locally." This sentiment reflects the spirit of both organizations, ensuring patients receive the best care possible.
Christina Houghton, the deputy chairperson and former leader of the air ambulance trust, noted the merger will also simplify fundraising efforts. She said, "The Taranaki community has been very supportive of both organizations, and this makes it easier to donate to one local air medical service." With the ability to consolidate fundraising tactics, the new entity stands to benefit greatly from flowing financial resources more efficiently.
Alongside the merger, notable changes are set to take place, particularly with the relocation of the rescue helicopter's operations. The helicopter will move to the air ambulance's existing facility at New Plymouth Airport, which is conveniently close to the Taranaki Base Hospital. With plans for new infrastructure, the helicopter crew will have dedicated accommodation at the airport, which Cottam hopes will be completed by March next year. This new block will include six bedrooms and additional shared living space.
The expansion and upgrading of Taranaki Base Hospital have also influenced this merger, with the chopper having access to land on the roof of the new east wing of the hospital. Cottam expressed gratitude for community support, particularly highlighting significant contributions from local philanthropists Derek and Meryle Roberts, who donated $500,000 toward the project.
Looking at their assets post-merger, Medi-Flight Taranaki has claimed ownership of two aircraft—an advanced Kawasaki BK117 helicopter and Beechcraft King Air C90A turbo-prop plane—along with various medical equipment and operational vehicles. The operations of the helicopter arm will still remain under Central Air Ambulance Rescue, whereas Skyline Aviation will continue its oversight of the Taranaki Air Ambulance.
While the merger marks the start of exciting possibilities, it also coincided with tragic incidents within South Taranaki. On the same weekend, emergency services responded to another alarming event—a serious crash on State Highway 3, resulting in five injuries. Police reported the two-vehicle crash occurred near Waitōtara, prompting the deployment of multiple ambulances, rapid response vehicles, and helicopters.
Victims from the highway accident were rushed to nearby hospitals, with one person airlifted to Wellington Hospital and another sent to Whanganui Base Hospital, both listed as critically injured. The other three victims were transported to Whanganui with varying degrees of injuries.
Allison Munn, fire and emergency shifts manager, elaborated on the challenging work firefighters undertook at the scene: "Crews worked to get those people free before handing them over to ambulance officers." This emergency underlined the very reasons why the merger of air ambulance services is so pivotal for the region.
With two very different yet interconnected stories happening simultaneously, the transformation of Taranaki's air medical services stands as both a beacon of hope and necessary improvement amid the challenges of emergency healthcare response. The community watches eagerly as Medi-Flight Taranaki establishes itself, ready to respond to crises with enhanced efficiency and care, dedicative to saving lives.
Rapid response and coordination are not merely buzzwords; they are the essence of what this merger aims to achieve, promoting not just operational efficiency but also ensuring timely assistance for emergencies whenever they arise.
Indeed, the merger of these services offers the Taranaki community the assurance they need: when emergencies strike, the life-saving help will be just as prompt, perhaps even more so, thanks to the pooling of resources and shared vision for quality patient care.
