About us
HEMS NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
HEMS holds a contract with the New Zealand Government to provide helicopter emergency ambulance services across the South Island of New Zealand, including Stewart Island, the Sub-Antarctic Islands, and the associated marine and coastal regions.
HEMS partners with three of New Zealand’s most experienced air ambulance operators Helicopters Otago, GCH Aviation and Southern Lakes Helicopters to provide clinical care across the region from 6 bases.
Our specialist teams are ready to provide excellent clinical care 24/7.
Each operator maintains a fleet of specially equipped aircraft and employs highly trained medical personnel, who are equipped to handle a wide range of medical emergencies from basic medical care to advanced life support.
Our values are trust, respect, integrity and compassion.
Operators and Bases
- Dunedin
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Nelson
- Greymouth
- Te Anau (as available)
What We Do
HEMS crews respond to a range of emergencies, including:
- pre-hospital treatment and transport of acutely unwell patients to hospitals
- planned clinical care and transport of patients between hospitals
- land, water, and mountain search and rescue in partnership with New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand and Coastguard.
Our crews work closely with other ambulance providers, including Hato Hone St John who provide road ambulance services across our region.
These services are also supported by the community via invaluable community trust partnerships:
- Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust
- Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust
- Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust
- Lakes District Air Rescue Trust
No matter the mission, our patients are our top priority.