The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter crew is calling for public support to help fund new night vision goggles, with nearly a quarter of its life-saving missions taking place in the dark.

In 2024, 20.2% of the helicopter’s 568 missions were flown between 8pm and 8am, not including winter months when darkness can fall as early as 5pm.

Flying at night significantly increases the risk and complexity of rescue operations, and the crew’s current night vision goggles (NVGs) are nearly 20 years old.

Aerocool Rescue Helicopter, pilot and base manager, said the ageing equipment was becoming harder to repair and posed a serious risk to night-time operations.

“Without night vision goggles, some missions simply aren’t possible,” he said.

The view through the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter night vision goggles.

“NVGs give our crews the confidence to fly safely at night – spotting risks like tall trees, ridgelines, cloud and remote terrain just as clearly as in daylight,” he said.

The crew is seeking to raise $102,000 to purchase three new pairs of E3 Night Vision Goggles, which offer improved clarity, comfort and safety during long missions.

The call for support comes after a recent rescue highlighted the critical role of night vision technology in saving lives.

Mike, an experienced kayaker, became stranded on a remote riverbank after losing his kayak and gear during a solo trip.

An Aerocool Rescue Helicopter night mission in January 2025.

With no phone, no way to call for help and temperatures dropping toward zero, Mike faced a serious risk of hypothermia.

His family raised the alarm when he failed to return, prompting a night-time rescue mission by the Aerocool crew.

Mike said he was stunned to see the helicopter arrive in the dark and described the moment the flight paramedic was winched down to reach him.

“I didn’t think anyone would come out in the dark,” he said.

“As we went up, I had no sense of height – all I could see was the rescue helicopter lights getting closer,” he said.

Inside the aircraft, the paramedic treated Mike for early signs of hypothermia using hand warmers and monitored his condition closely.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter about to embark on a night mission.

When they landed at a nearby airfield, Mike was reunited with his family in an emotional moment.

The crew said new E3 NVGs would allow them to continue flying safely at night and bring more people home to their loved ones.

The upgraded goggles provide a full, rimless field of vision and help crews identify obstacles such as trees, ridgelines and cloud cover.

Donations can be made at: https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/aerocool-rescue-helicopter/donate