New business Tasman Pine Forests sponsor Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter

As the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter gears up for a busy summer period, it has secured a new sponsor.

Newly established company Tasman Pine Forests, owned by the Japanese giant Sumitomo Forestry Company, has come on board as an associate sponsor for the rescue helicopter service…

Sumitomo owns Nelson Pine Industries and In December, it purchased 30,000 hectares of Nelson region pine forests from US-based forestry investor Hancock Forest Management.

Nelson Pine Industries managing director Murray Sturgeon said the land was recently acquired by Tasman Pine Forests. 

Sumitomo Forestry Company president Akira Ichikawa visited Nelson last week to launch Tasman Pine Forests and introduce the company to its contractors and supporters.

He saw a model of the rescue helicopter in the Nelson Pine Industries offices and suggested it would be a good idea if Tasman Pine Forests also became a sponsor. 

Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter general manager Paula Muddle said when the service celebrated 25 years in May, mahogany models of the helicopter had been crafted for the associate sponsors.

Sturgeon said Nelson Pine Industries had been a founding member of the rescue helicopter service and supported the organisation since it's inception 25 years ago. 

"Mr Ichikawa wanted to have something in the region that would signify the investment so we promoted the rescue helicopter.

"Both companies are now sponsoring the very worthy cause."

Tasman Pine Forests managing director Nishi Nishikawa​ had arranged to donate about $50,000 a year for the next two years to coincide with Nelson Pine Industries sponsorship.

Nelson Pine Industries were into the first year of a three year sponsorship and Sturgeon said they would be looking to renew that going forward. 

"We would like to think that other companies will get in behind and support the rescue helicopter," Sturgeon said.

"They provide a great service. don't they? Not only for us in the forestry and transport industry but for all the tourists that come here and get lost."

Paula Muddle said Tasman Pine Forests had come on board as an associate sponsor, donating between $50,000 and $60,000 a year and ideally the service needed 10 associate sponsors to match what rescue helicopters in other regions received. 

In the 10 years she had been working for the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter, this year had been the most challenging when it came to funding. 

"This has been very timely having Tasman Pine Forests come on board as a sponsor."

Muddle said 2016 was shaping up to be another record year with more than 500 missions. 

The rescue helicopter received funding from ACC but Muddle said there was a shortfall of about $3500 a mission and they were constantly looking for sponsors.