7 The story tellers giving Northland rescue chopper a positive spin T hey may be from Auckland – and don’t hold that against them – but Boyd PR has played a key part in strengthening the Northland Rescue Helicopter’s connection to the community by telling the personal stories behind the rescue service. NRH has been a client of the Auckland based PR agency for more than eight years and in that time the rescue service’s profile has grown significantly in the local community. Managing Director, John Boyd, says the company came on board to help the charity get media traction however the role has developed to include everything from sponsorship to producing a series of children’s books. “Part of our job is to put a spotlight on the incredible work the Northland Rescue Helicopter does, but the bigger and more important part is coming up with ways to help them raise vital funds they need to keep their choppers in the air.” Boyd says the unique idea to create a series of Northland Rescue Helicopter storybooks came from the fact the choppers all have fun nicknames. “We always wanted to do a series of books and following the success of the first, Juliet to the Rescue, we really had no choice but to bring Lima to life – and then Mike.” The popularity of the books meant they developed each time; the recent two both include te reo words and phrases to reflect the influence and importance of the Maori population in Northland. Boyd says when they first started working with the charity in 2011, they were tasked to raise the profile of the rescue service and did that by producing a steady stream of stories, showcasing the many different sides to the organisation. “For us it was all about showing the human faces behind the Northland Rescue Helicopter. They’re great people who do life-saving work and telling their stories helped strengthen the connection the service has to the whole Northland community.” Mr Boyd says making this connection was important because while Northland Rescue Helicopter was well known, the life-saving work it did was not necessarily appreciated as widely as it is now. “That connection continues to grow and is reflected in how generously the region gives back to the service during the annual appeal.” Boyd PR was also instrumental in the development of the organisation’s sponsorship proposal, implementation of its ambassador programme, and undertaking a branding campaign to change its name to Northland Rescue Helicopter. The PR agency also told the stories behind the launch of NRH’s state of the art simulator, the move to undertake its maintenance inhouse, and many of its most daring and important rescues. “We only like working with good buggers and the Northland Rescue Helicopter team are some of the best around. “Even though our team’s based in Auckland, we often holiday and adventure in the North and appreciate the peace of mind a reliable and trusty rescue chopper service gives.” *'%#!QOMBQOA'%@ ?>=< ;:9,+)99 ()&)$"RP)+N @R)8,7$,9N9 6 *574N)4)3 Q88":+N7+N9 2":$3 $,1) N" )0N)+3 ":4 9,+8)4)9N 8"+/47N:$7L"+9 N" %"4N5$7+3 !)98:) >)$,8"RN)4 "+ 874,+/ K"4 %"4N5$7+3 K"4 JI ?)749H G) 74) R4":3 N" F) ,+&"$&)3 2,N5 %"4N5$7+3 !)98:) >)$,8"RN)4 7+3 2) 2,95 N" 781+"2$)3/) N5) )E"4N9 P73) FD 7$$ ,+&"$&)3C K"4 D":4 5743 2"41 7+3 9)4&,8)C P71,+/ 7 3,E)4)+8) N" R)"R$) 7+3 N5),4 K7P,$,)9.O>Q%- ?'MH NORTHLAND RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE 30YRS... Working for you Works for us Bulk Cartage | Earthmoving | Contracting | Subdivisions mckenziecontracting.co.nz ! D'L CBB '8L A8HJ%?HH *'%# !'LLJH @JL?>='L =K I6 54I I5II &<7=?L ,'9J>+ @JL?>='L !='L *L?9'L $H"<7MJH='% @JL?>='L 32 1<=+"'%? )=L??=0 &+<%/+ @JL?>='L )+='L 54 .'L-<%"# )=L??=0 @+F>'F%E Physical Address 50 Kioreroa Road, Whangarei Postal Address 405 Taiharuru Road, RD1, Onerahi, 0192 Mac - Quoting/Projects/Scheduling Ph: 027 285 8762 Email: mac@mckenziecontracting.co.nz