Lift off! Auckland Hospital helipad refresh

17 Feb 2026

Officially opened in 2001, the Auckland City Hospital helipad serves as a crucial lifeline, enabling rapid access to life-saving medical care for patients across the local and Upper North Island regions.

It operates 24/7, supporting the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter service, which responds to emergencies and performs aeromedical and search and rescue missions. Ensuring the helipad remains fully operational is no small feat, especially during essential maintenance, such as that carried out in 2024.

Twenty years of almost constant use had left the helipad in less than pristine condition. Photo courtesy Conslab.

After nearly 20 years of constant use – coupled with Auckland’s often punishing weather conditions – physical and climatic stresses had taken their toll and the decision was made to resurface the helipad using Deckshield ED Rapide by Flowcrete.

Supplied by Altex Coatings – a Resene Group business – the Deckshield ED Rapide system was selected for its rapid curing properties meaning the site can remain in use as the project was completed, albeit in phases.

Fully resurfaced in the Deckshield ED Rapide system, Auckland City Hospital’s refreshed helipad will provide 24/7 service for many more years to come. Photo courtesy Conslab.

Crucially, Deckshield ED Rapide provides exceptional waterproofing and crack-bridging capabilities, vital for withstanding the constant stresses imposed by helicopter landings and Auckland’s challenging weather conditions.

In a testament to the planning and coordination of the main contractor, Conslab was able to apply the Deckshield ED Rapide system swiftly and effectively, thereby protecting and extending the life of the helipad for many years to come.

Published: 17 Feb 2026