Our History
NEST was conceived at a public meeting called at the request of the Auckland Surf Club in 1988, at which positioning a rescue helicopter in Northland for three months over the summer period was discussed. Joyce Ryan, Whangarei's mayor at the time, asked those present if they thought the money that was being asked for this service for three months seemed fair, and, after discussion the St John contingent who were present responded: "We can do the same job for the same money, but for the whole year."
While costs exceeded those envisaged in 1988, NEST believes its service has far exceeded Northlanders' expectations. It transported its first patient on 15th November 1988, and has since carried over 8'500 more.
In 1988, when NEST began, it used a Bell Jet Ranger - which is a basic single pilot, one engine and one patient aircraft. The Bell Jet Ranger is the most popular helicopter ever built with over 6'000 units flying worldwide. The Bell Jet Ranger also has one of the best safety records of any helicopter on the market and made this aircraft the perfect choice for NEST for starting its services.
In 1991, the Bell Jet Ranger was replaced with a more powerful Eurocopter Squirrel Helicopter and in 1994, the the Squirrel was replaced with a twin-engine Eurocopter BK117.
In 1997, the first of the two Sikorsky S-76 Helicopters joined our fleet and today we can rely on the services and support of two similar machines of this type.
When the people of Northland decided to set up a helicopter service back in 1988, they aimed to provide one that was wholly community-owned and supported. NEST has achieved this and aims to retain its foundations within the community it serves. It also intends to continue to provide the people of Northland with an excellent, safe, effective and efficient service, and will do so by maintaining its present course-one of providing first class flight crews aboard top class aircraft.