On 11 November 2021, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) reported that NH90-TTH with serial NZ3302 (construction number 1206) reach 2,000 flying hours. With this milestone, the RNZAF NH90 is the first in the world of this type to reach this number of flying hours.
The RNZAF operates nine NH90-TTHs with 3 Squadron Kimihia Ka Patu ('Seek and Destroy') at RNZAF Base Ohakea, located 140 km north of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
In 2007, New Zealand ordered the NH90-TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) as a replacement of the Bell UH-1H Iroquois. Deliveries started in 2012 with the two helicopters arriving at Ohakea and on 1 July 2015 all official duties from the UH-1H were taken over. The NH90s are used for various helicopter operations such as disaster relief, counter-terrorism, battlefield support and search and rescue.
