Flying High

Sarah Sharp is the latest member to join the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter crew.

Sarah Sharp is flying high – literally. Not only has she landed her dream job, but it is with the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter crew.

“It’s a bit different from my other life as an accountant,” she laughs. However, Sarah, 29, has never been one to sit behind a desk. While working at PwC in her home town of Hamilton she was involved in surf lifesaving, with both the Trust Waikato Raglan Surf Life Saving Club and New Plymouth’s East End Surf Life Saving Club.

When Sarah moved to New Plymouth in 2009 she volunteered with the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter as part of the marine team, getting involved with water based search and rescue. Then the UK beckoned.

“I spent two years overseas but since coming back to New Zealand, I’ve been looking for an opportunity to move back to New Plymouth,” says Sarah. “I love the region and then this job came up.”

Sarah will spend the first few months shadowing the other crew members, Andy Cronin and Ben Wallbank, while completing the necessary training and competencies required.

“I am really looking forward to getting back to Taranaki, getting back to the community, and making a difference.”