About Helicopter Services BOP Limited

Helicopter Services BOP Ltd is a wholly owned company of the Funnell Group. Since the mid 1980's it has grown from one helicopter operating out of Taupo, to a fleet of aircraft specialising in air ambulance, rescue, lifting, spraying and charter services throughout the central North Island and beyond.

AIR AMBULANCE & RESCUE SERVICES

In 1985, John Funnell was involved in a search operation of an aeroplane accident involving the deaths of management personnel from Philips NZ Ltd. This operation highlighted the need for specialist regional search and rescue operators in New Zealand.

John was instrumental in the development of providing regions with rescue helicopters that were fully equipped to the highest standards, while employing highly experienced pilots who knew the region well.

Now, Helicopter Services BOP Ltd supplies aircraft and pilots to the Philips Search & Rescue Trust providing air ambulance services throughout the central North Island in the major towns of Hamilton, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupo.

The company has been involved in some of the longest range rescues in New Zealand history. Rescues out to Campbell Island, off the bottom of the South Island, and Raoul Island, 1000 kilometers north of New Zealand, have provided the company with a reputation as specialists in long range rescues.

COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

The commercial operation of the company operates a AS350 B2 Squirrel assisting the forestry industry, Department of Conservation and the skifields in the central North Island with lifting, spraying and charter services.

With its specialist in-house chemical and bulk fuel handling facility, the company is able to handle large scale operations such as spraying large acreages of forestry. Purpose built specialist gear has been designed and contructed in their own engineering workshop to assist in large scale spraying.

Expert knowledge of the region, including the forests and mountains, a wealth of experience, plus a focus on safety and efficiency, has provided Helicopter Services BOP Ltd with a reputation as the best in their field.