RNZAF NH90 helicopter and crew assist in rescue of 35 people
A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopter and crew from No. 3 Squadron assisted in the rescue of 35 people following flooding and slips between Ōpōtiki and Matawai.
17 January, 2026
In an efficient New Zealand Police-led operation, the
Our Royal New Zealand Air Force has eight NH90 helicopters in its fleet, which are operated by No. 3 Squadron and have been in full service since 2015. They are a twin engine medium utility helicopter featuring a fly-by-wire flight control system, full ice protection system, and fibre-glass composite structure.
Flight Lieutenant George Bellamy, NH90 pilot
“The police staff on the ground coordinating the rescue streamlined the extraction process. We knew exactly where we needed to be and where to go.”
“When we arrived the weather was fine, but that quickly changed. We managed to complete all the rescues just as the weather began to deteriorate meaning we likely couldn’t have done much more. Without the coordination skills of those on the ground there very well could have been unprepared people left out overnight."
The late night operation began for the NH90 crew just before 9pm, returning to RNZAF Base Ohakea just before 2am.
