March to support Taupo’s chopper

‘Don’t take away our rescue helicopter’. That was the cry from about 1000 protesters who braved bad weather in Taupo¯ on Monday to march in support of their local Greenlea Rescue Chopper.

The protesters included Taupo¯ mayor David Trewavas, Taupo¯ MP Louise Upston, representatives of dozens of outdoor groups, emergency services, GreyPower and dozens of other groups. The crowd chanted ‘‘Save our Chopper’’ as it headed through heavy rain into the centre of Taupo¯ .

Some protesters were on walkers and wheelchairs, while one was wheeled down the road at the head of the column on a gurney.

The Ministry of Health is planning to dissolve regional helicopter bases in Taupo¯ , Rotorua and Te Anau. The areas will be serviced from Hamilton, Napier and Whanganui instead.

Lakes District Health Board member Christine Rankin said New Zealanders were often very polite and didn’t always stand up for the things they should. But the numbers that turned out to protest proved the community really cared about their chopper.

‘‘This situation is absolutely unacceptable,’’ she said.

‘‘Its extremely unethical at the very least, no consultation, no warning and can I tell you as part of the Lakes District Health Board, we heard about this when you did.

‘‘Not a word of warning, no discussion, and no advice.’’

She said the Lakes DHB would do everything it could to save it.

Greenlea pilot and base manager Nat Every said basing the service out of Hamilton meant at least an extra 45 minutes of travel time.

In poor weather, travel times could be much longer because of the mountainous terrain around Lake Taupo¯ .