Westpac Rescue Helicopter has been named New Zealand's Most Trusted charity brand for the second year running, and second most trusted brand overall in the 2025 Reader's Digest survey.
The nationwide network of rescue helicopters operates 24/7, 365 days a year, providing lifesaving services to those in need - from precarious search and rescue missions to critical medical transfers.
In a survey of 1,780 New Zealanders, Westpac Rescue Helicopter came out on top in the charity category for the third time since 2018.
Westpac NZ General Manager of Product, Sustainability and Marketing, Sarah Hearn, says the accolade landing during Westpac's Chopper Appeal Month just confirms the bank's commitment to these life-saving services.
"Chopper crews carry out vital work around the clock and across the country to keep communities safe and are not only trusted, but treasured by the communities they operate in," Ms Hearn says.
During Chopper Appeal Month, Westpac conducts a national fundraising drive benefitting all rescue helicopter services, not just the Westpac Rescue Helicopters and distributes all funds raised back to donors' local rescue helicopter trust.
In a new approach this year, people who make an automatic payment into their Westpac savings account during the month of June will be in to win one of 25 $1,000 prizes, which will be matched by a $1,000 donation by Westpac to their local rescue helicopter.
"We're in the business of encouraging people to adopt positive savings habits, and what better way to do that than linking it with extra support for the lifesaving rescue helicopter service," Ms Hearn says.
"We're proud to have been supporting rescue helicopters for more than 40 years, and we're very fortunate that our Westpac teams and the public dig deep to raise the funds needed to keep them in the air."
Four of New Zealand's rescue helicopter trusts operate under the Westpac Rescue Helicopter brand - the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Life Flight (Wellington), and the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
People wishing to make a donation can visit www.chopperappeal.co.nz.
