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Overview

The Aeromedical Commissioning Programme aims to transform Aotearoa New Zealand’s air ambulance system to improve patient and community health outcomes. The vision of the Programme is for equitable access to a high-performing air ambulance service that is safe, sustainable, and integrated to deliver excellent care.

The Programme is the second phase of the long-term reconfiguration of air ambulance services. The Programme is facilitating the design of the future operating model for air ambulance services.

The Programme is guided by the Whakataukī: I orea te tuatara ka patu ki waho - A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions.

About the air ambulance system

The air ambulance system includes prehospital responses, interhospital transfers, Search and Rescue helicopters taskings, and disaster response.

This is across rotary-wing (helicopters) and fixed-wing (planes) air ambulances, which are clinically crewed, along with associated road ambulance transfers. The system also includes the clinical and logistical coordination of air ambulance resources.

The air ambulance system is jointly funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and ACC and is managed by the Ambulance Team. 

Find out more about the Ambulance Team

Timeline

From September 2024 we expect to:

  • establish Design Working Groups to develop a draft high level future operating model.

From April 2025 we expect to:

  • consult on the draft high level future operating model with the broader sector.

From June 2025 we expect to:

  • seek Joint Purchaser endorsement for the draft future operating model.

How we will do this

We are partnering with stakeholders across the sector to facilitate the design of a high-level future operating model for the air ambulance system.

The approach and future design will be guided and supported by the Clinical and Technical Advisory Group who are technical and clinical experts from across the air ambulance system.

Find about more about the Clinical and Technical Advisory Group

Design working groups, consisting of sector subject matter experts, will develop the initial design solutions, which will then be tested with stakeholders from the broader aeromedical system. There will be an opportunity for wider engagement and consultation on the draft design in early 2025.

Find out more about the Design Working Group Membership [PDF, 97 KB]

Sector engagement

The draft future operating model for the air ambulance service is currently available for review and feedback.

Proposed future operating model for the air ambulance service [PDF, 5.3 MB]

We invite you to provide feedback on the operating model through the link below. This link will take you to a platform with a PDF document that provides detail about the draft future operating model, including specific questions for feedback.

Feedback is open from 14 April 2025 to 11 May 2025.

Engagement questions (external link)

About the engagement:

  • Engagement is open to anyone with an interest in the New Zealand air ambulance sector.
  • You can submit feedback as an individual or group.
  • For a one-page summary of the key shifts, please view page 12.
  • You can provide feedback on the entire document or specific sections.
  • You may wish to download the PDF and reflect on the questions before answering. We advise you complete the questions in one sitting to ensure your answers are saved, but you can edit your answers if you leave the browser open

Your feedback will form the basis of recommendations that will go to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and ACC leadership teams for approval.

For any questions, please contact airambulanceteam@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

Keeping you updated

We will keep stakeholders and the community updated with what is happening through newsletters, as this work progresses.

Newsletters

Download the Aeromedical Commissioning Programme update for:

If you would like to be added to the mailing list, email airambulanceteam@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Additional information

Contact us

If you like to subscribe to our communications, or get in touch, email airambulanceteam@tewhatuora.govt.nz