Whangarei locals glad at rescue helicopter's planned shift after frustration over noise levels

Northland locals are spending thousands of dollars soundproofing their homes to drown out the noise of the local rescue helicopter.

A charitable trust that operates three choppers from its base in Whangarei has been the subject of numerous noise complaints.

Now, it's planning to give the residents a welcome break.

Its motto is every minute counts and Northland's rescue heli is always on hand to help. Now its crew are saying every square metre counts. It's outgrown its base in central Whangarei and is searching for somewhere larger.

Its neighbours won't be sad to see it shift.

"You can smell the kerosene, definitely, and it's overbearing," says Whangarei resident Gordon Robinson.

"It's very disruptive in your sleep and there's probably not once, not once, that it doesn't go out at night," adds Whangarei resident Peter O'Donnell.

Helicopters take off three times a day on average attending rescue missions or transporting people to and from hospital.

Neighbour Mark Cowan says every mission makes his house shake and drowns out his TV. He supports the chopper and its crew but also wants some shuteye.

"Can't just ignore it anymore, but we can't afford to move because we're renting, so we're stuck here anyway and we just get sleep-deprived because of it," he says.

Some are so desperate for sleep, they've taken to soundproofing their homes.

"We're getting double-glazing hush glass put into the windows, we're hoping to get the sound down to the point where we almost sleep through it," Whangarei resident Roger de Bray says.

The Northland Emergency Services Trust has three helicopters at its base - its hangar only fits two.

The board's already made the call to move, pushed ahead by upset residents complaining to the council.

"Some of the locals have got a bit frustrated with the increasing noise levels, through the night, through the day," Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai says.

Newshub understands the trust is eyeing a few sites in Whangarei's industrial areas to shift to by the end of this year.

The new site will be temporary, while it constructs its own, purpose-built base about three times the size of its current one.

A spot at the airport is not being considered, but the Mayor says the hospital could be an option.

"I know that we're being blessed with a brand new hospital, so perhaps some discussions with the District Health Board could ensue," Mai says.

These helicopters had their busiest year last year, responding to more than a thousand call-outs. Meaning it's outgrown its base and obviously overstayed its welcome.