A brand new ambulance helicopter is ready to take to the skies

The Government last year committed almost 15 million-dollars to replace nine air-ambulances with new and second-hand helicopters.

A brand new 5-blade Airbus has passed its final test flight - and will begin operating in Waikato, Coromandel, and the King Country.

ACC Minister Scott Simpson says the demand for air ambulances has increased 22 percent in the past five years.