16963 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

16963 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Further to reply 12078 (2026), which two rescue helicopter bases in New Zealand rely on airport fuel storage rather than holding their own fuel supplies, and what contingency arrangements have been made for each?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that Nelson and Queenstown emergency air ambulance helicopter bases rely on airport fuel storage rather than holding their own significant on-site fuel supplies. Contingency arrangements for Nelson base include: • mobile fuel tankers which can be flown or driven in from Christchurch and • commercial fuel stocks are available from a different supplier at Wellington Airport, which can be flown in. Contingency arrangements for Queenstown base include: • a BP provided fuel truck which has been made available to Queenstown and • the air ambulance provider owns a vehicle capable of delivering fuel from Dunedin. I am also advised that both operators have secured priority access from their fuel suppliers.