Friday 15 August 2025

7:00am – Whakarua Park, Ruatōrea

9:30am – Matakāoa Health Centre, Te Araroa

12:00pm – Te Puia Hospital, Te Puia Springs

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Nau Mai, Haere Mai – Be Part of a Special Day for our East Cape/Coast Communities

On Friday 15 August 2025, our East Cape/Coast communities will come together to celebrate three new helicopter landing facilities — at Te Puia Springs, Te Araroa, and Ruatōrea.

These new helipads are much more than concrete pads — they are lifelines. They mean faster, safer access to emergency medical care for our most remote whānau, particularly during severe weather or urgent medical events. They also stand as a testament to the resilience, and unity of our Ngati Porou whānau.

This is a day to acknowledge the dedication of many:

• Hapū and community leaders who have guided this kaupapa from the ground up
• Volunteers and local initiatives who keep our communities prepared and safe
• Partners and funders including Health New Zealand, ACC, Eastland Rescue Helicopter Trust, and Search & Rescue Services, whose investment and collaboration have brought this vision to life
• Special recognition to Denis Hartley – remembrance plaque unveiling as the founding Pilot of the Helicopter Rescue services on the East Coast, and the establishment of the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust.

Event Schedule – Friday 15 August 2025

• 7:00am – Whakarua Park, Ruatōrea
• 9:30am – Matakāoa Health Centre, Te Araroa
• 12:00pm – Te Puia Hospital, Te Puia Springs

You’re welcome to join us for any or all of the blessings. Each site will hold its own special moments of karakia, kōrero, and whakawhanaungatanga.

This kaupapa is about equity in action — ensuring even the most rural and isolated corners of the East Coast have the same chance at life-saving care as anyone else in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Bring your whānau and help us mark this important milestone together.

Media enquiries to:

Dorina Paenga
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou
Senior Manager, Projects, Marketing and Communications
Email: dpaenga@tronp.org.nz

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