At Brannigans, we are privileged to work alongside organisations that embody purpose and community impact. Recently, our team members Kase Craig (For-Purpose Lead) and Alice Darling (Team Lead – Executive Contracting) had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue, an experience that highlighted the life-saving work happening across our region.
A lifeline across the South Island
The South Island’s unique environment – from rugged coastlines and vast rural landscapes to lush forests and towering alpine peaks – makes it a place of both beauty and challenge. In such conditions, people can easily become vulnerable and isolated.
That’s where the Air Rescue team steps in, providing a critical lifeline from Kaikōura to Waitaki and from Karamea to Haast. Operating day and night, their work ensures that communities across the South Island can rely on urgent care and safe transport when it’s needed most.
Stories from the frontline
During the visit, the team met Tom, a Critical Care Paramedic and Crew Training Manager. Tom described the fast-paced nature of their work: the crew has just 10 minutes to get airborne once a call comes in, and no two missions are ever the same.
He shared a remarkable story of a colleague who was forced to camp overnight with a patient on the side of a mountain. To keep the patient safe, they built an ice cave until another helicopter could reach them the next day – a testament to the extraordinary skill and commitment required in this line of work.
The scale of their impact is impressive: the crew responds to 1,000 missions every year. The benefits of helicopter rescue are clear – speed and access. If patients receive specialist medical care within an hour of their injury or illness, their chances of a full recovery increase by up to 80%.
🎥 Watch the video here to hear Tom talk about the mission and the people behind it.
The New Zealand Flying Doctor Service
While on site, the Brannigans team also visited the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service — effectively an intensive care unit with wings. This service plays a crucial role in ensuring even the most remote and rural communities have access to essential healthcare, bridging the gap for those living far from hospital services.
Honouring purpose in action
The visit was a powerful reminder of what it means to be driven by purpose. The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue and the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service are true heroes of our region, delivering care, safety, and hope to thousands of people every year.
To learn more about the work of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue and the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service, please visit their websites:
At Brannigans, we’re committed to supporting the for-purpose sector and celebrating the difference these organisations make.
Learn more about how we support the sector on our For-Purpose page.
Or, if you’d like to talk about opportunities to collaborate, reach out to Kase Craig, our For-Purpose Lead.
