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2023 Full Year Impact Report
2023 Full Year Impact Report

Find out how your donations have helped the service during 2023 in our Impact Report.

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Arthur’s job is unpredictable. Urgent calls can Arthur’s job is unpredictable. 

Urgent calls can come through at any minute, and a mission can last anywhere from three to six hours. 

“We spend a lot of time on the phone with Health New Zealand, talking about what specialist support the patient will need and arranging to have that support on hand.”

Arthur Ruddenklau is Operations Manager and Senior Pilot at the NZ Flying Doctor Service.

It's a complex job, made more complex by the Service's 24-hour nature - particularly when it comes to regional airports.

“You need to know the right people to call to turn on the runway lights and let ambulances through the gates at night."

Arthur has been flying for 34 years and at the helm of the NZ Flying Doctor Service for 16 years. His favourite part of the job is the homecomings.

“𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻. 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲.”

Read more about Arthur and the NZ Flying Doctor Service here: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/our-crew/
We're loving seeing the colouring competition entr We're loving seeing the colouring competition entries coming in from the open day. We've decided to decorate one of the windows in the Flying Doctor offices, thank you Shane! 

The effort that's been put into these is fantastic. Thank you. 

If you picked up a picture and you'd like to send it in to enter the competition, just photograph it and send it to digital@nzflyingdoctors.co.nz. 

You have until May 1 to enter.
It might be 12 years ago, but Sheryn still gets em It might be 12 years ago, but Sheryn still gets emotional thinking about the day her son Ryan was on the NZ Flying Doctor Service plane.

The Nelson teen was struck with a rare infection. He urgently needed specialist care ... what Sheryn didn't know at the time was that doctors were concerned he wouldn't survive the flight.

Sheryn believes the NZ Flying Doctor Service saved her son's life.

"𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗪𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.”

Thank you Sheryn and Ryan for sharing your story and thank you Rānui House for being Sheryn's "home away from home". It's at a person’s greatest moment of need, the strength of community and charity standing together truly shines.

Read Sheryn and Ryan's story here: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/stories/a-life-saving-flight-never-forgotten/

@ranuihouse
The difference the NZ Flying Doctor Service makes The difference the NZ Flying Doctor Service makes - thanks to your support.
𝗔 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 It was 29 December 2025 when 𝗔 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

It was 29 December 2025 when the call came. A gastroenterology patient required urgent treatment at Christchurch Hospital. Pilots Arthur and Scott and Flight Nurse Abby were on their way to the West Coast.

The NZ Flying Doctor Service team frequently crosses the main divide, providing West Coast communities with a vital link to critical health services. During 2025, more than 250 patients were transported from the West Coast.

Our most heartfelt thanks to ROA Mining, principal sponsor of the NZ Flying Doctor planes in Christchurch. Your continued support of the Service demonstrates your commitment to the health of the West Coast community.
Peter's family didn't know he was leaving a gift i Peter's family didn't know he was leaving a gift in his will to the NZ Flying Doctor Trust, but they were not surprised.

Peter's sister Allison says the service had given him such comfort. He was too unwell to fly between Nelson and Christchurch commercially and he hated the thought of being "bounced around" on the road.

We are incredibly humbled that Peter chose to leave a gift in his will to the NZ Flying Doctor Trust and we would like to thank Peter's family for sharing his story with us.

 “𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗭 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀.”
𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻

Read about Peter and his legacy here: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/stories/a-gift-in-recognition-of-a-seamless-service/
The people we help are at the very heart of the NZ The people we help are at the very heart of the NZ Flying Doctor Service - it's why we're here.

If you've used the NZ Flying Doctor Service, we would love to hear from you. Your story could help us highlight the amazing work of the air ambulance service and its importance to our community.

Send us a message or contact us through our website: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/contact/
When RSV started circulating, Lyndal Watson was wo When RSV started circulating, Lyndal Watson was worried. She knew if her seven-month-old baby Blaire got it, she could get very sick, very fast.

When her worst fears were realised, she was so grateful the NZ Flying Doctor Service was there. 

“𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗭 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲."

Read about Blaire's two "magical" NZ Flying Doctor flights here: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/stories/two-flights-in-six-days-for-baby-blaire/
It's official - demand for the NZ Flying Doctor Se It's official - demand for the NZ Flying Doctor Service has never been higher. See the numbers for yourself in our 2025 Impact Report.

Also in this report we:
🔵Celebrate 30 years of flight
🔵Showcase a mission in action
🔵Meet some of the people who make it possible
🔵Share the story of a little girl's magical first flights

Read our Impact Report here: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/news_articles/2025-full-year-impact-report/
Normally the Trust team prefers to stay behind the Normally the Trust team prefers to stay behind the scenes, but this beautiful kit from @deaneapparelnz  got them in front of the camera!

An enormous thank you to Deane Apparel for providing branded shirts and jackets for the team at the New Zealand Flying Doctor Trust.

Whether we're attending events, hosting events, or showing guests around the GCH Aviation Air Rescue Base, we'll wear this gear with pride.
We are thrilled to announce that 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻 We are thrilled to announce that 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 are a 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿 at this year's flagship fundraiser for the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service, the 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮. 

When you invest with Milford, you’re also supporting the local community. They are thrilled to partner with a charity that enriches the community, which is why the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service is a perfect fit. 

The Service truly appreciates the partnership with Milford Asset Management and their generosity in support of this event, which is raising vital funds for this essential service.
Mark's been dreaming about planes since he was abo Mark's been dreaming about planes since he was about five years old.

He loves his job as a pilot with the NZ Flying Doctor Service. His favourite destination? The West Coast, where he says they always get such a warm welcome.

"𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆," 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀.

Read more about Mark here: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/news_articles/introducing-mark-nz-flying-doctor-service-pilot/
We extend our heartfelt thanks to 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗼 We extend our heartfelt thanks to 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 for their unwavering support of the 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮, to be held on March 21st.

As a 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿 for three consecutive years, Canterbury Orthopaedic Services has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to this event and to the community we serve. Their incredible generosity helps ensure the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service can continue to provide patients with the very best possible aeromedical care. It is a wonderful example of a local business stepping up to support a vital community service.

Thank you, Canterbury Orthopaedic Services, for your continued commitment to making a meaningful difference.
We've been busy... and we couldn't do it without We've been busy...

and we couldn't do it without your help.

Donate today.

www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗭 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗭 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿.
It's the tricky cases that land on Dr Neil Davidso It's the tricky cases that land on Dr Neil Davidson's desk.

“𝗢𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 ... 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴.”

Dr Davidson talks about his role as the Aeromedical Retrieval Specialist Clinical Lead for the NZ Flying Doctor Service and the privilege of being part of a service that makes such a difference.

Read more here: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/news_articles/the-complex-nature-of-air-retrieval/

Or see Latest Stories on our Linktree
This isn't just a plane - it's a flying Intensive This isn't just a plane - it's a flying Intensive Care Unit. And we're a little in love...
Manvi never expected that, at 34 weeks, her pregna Manvi never expected that, at 34 weeks, her pregnancy would take a turn for the worse.

She also never expected to welcome her daughter into the world in another city. But that's exactly what happened.

Manvi shares with us the story of her urgent flight to Dunedin and the arrival of her beautiful baby daughter, Fiza.

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗺𝘀!”

Read Manvi's story here: https://www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz/stories/manvis-urgent-flight-to-nicu/

Or see our Patient Stories on Linktree
The New Zealand Flying Doctor Service travels vast The New Zealand Flying Doctor Service travels vast distances with often critically ill patients - every day of the year.

This essential service wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our community.

Your donation saves lives.

www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz
Critical care in the air, 24/7. Critical care in the air, 24/7.
NZ Flying Doctor Service
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