A man whose own family was saved by a rescue helicopter 16 years ago has taken the helm of two of Canterbury's most vital charitable organisations.
Anton Drazevic has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust and the New Zealand Flying Doctor Trust, a role that sees him return to his home town of Christchurch. He steps into the leadership position during a significant period of growth and investment for the life-saving services, which provide critical medical response across Canterbury, the West Coast and the entire country.
Mr Drazevic brings more than two decades of experience in executive leadership and community impact roles across New Zealand and Australia. His most recent position was as chief executive of the Nelson Environment Centre, the country’s oldest community environmental non-governmental organisation. His appointment has been welcomed by the Trust as a move that will place community and patient wellbeing at the forefront of decision-making.
A personal connection to the mission
For Mr Drazevic, the new role is more than just a career move. It represents a a full-circle moment, stemming from a rescue mission that directly impacted his own family 16 years ago.
He said a family member was involved in a helicopter accident and required the service he now leads. The experience left an indelible mark on him and fuels his passion for the trusts' work.
This firsthand understanding of the service's value underscores his commitment. Mr Drazevic says he is eager to begin working with the extensive team that keeps the helicopters and planes in the air. “I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and work alongside our team, our communities, and the crew to continue delivering world-class care to the communities we serve,” he said.
'A deep understanding' of mission-driven work
Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust chairman Murray Willocks praised the appointment, highlighting Mr Drazevic’s unique blend of experience and perspective. He said the new chief executive was the right person to guide the charities into the future.
Anton brings a deep understanding of mission-driven organisations and the importance of placing community and patient wellbeing at the centre of every decision. We’re delighted to have Anton on board to lead us into the future of air rescue and air ambulance services.
Mr Drazevic's leadership comes at a crucial time. The trusts are finalising a major investment programme that includes the unveiling of the final H145 rescue helicopter. This will complete a new fleet of four state-of-the-art aircraft serving Canterbury, the West Coast and Nelson regions. The Airbus H145 is a globally recognised leader in emergency medical service helicopters, offering advanced avionics, more space for patient care, and improved performance, which is critical when operating in the challenging terrain of the Southern Alps.
Alongside the new aircraft, the trusts have also invested heavily in specialist equipment for the crew, comprehensive training programmes, and service infrastructure to ensure the highest standards of care are maintained. These services are run as charities, relying on community support and partnerships to fund their operations, which are essential for many remote and rural areas. For more information on health services, some experts say there is no 'quick fix' for chronic pain</a>.
Two charities, one life-saving goal
While the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust is a familiar sight in the skies above the South Island, the NZ Flying Doctor Trust provides a different but equally critical function. It operates a national service for inter-hospital air ambulance transfers, moving patients to facilities where they can receive specialised medical care.
In 2025 alone, the service transported 1,402 patients, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This immense undertaking is supported by the Trust and the wider community. The national air ambulance strategy is overseen by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora to ensure a coordinated approach to patient transport across the country. The challenges of providing services to communities are felt in many sectors, including education, with ongoing debates over Christchurch school zones and deciles. Similarly, the Department of Conservation seeks a key Hamilton regulatory leader.
Although he has only been in the role for a few days, Mr Drazevic said he is already deeply impressed by the quality and dedication of the people involved.
He said he was looking forward to supporting the team that makes the life-saving work possible. “I’m both humbled and thrilled to join the team that supports their life-saving work,” he says.
