The last of eight new HN90 helicopters has been delivered to the Royal New Zealand Air Force base at Ohakea.

The chopper will be used for roles including search and rescue, disaster relief, transporting soldiers and aerial lifting of cargo and supplies.

The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Mike Yardley, says the NH90 helicopter is a significant step-up from the Iroquois helicopters the Air Force has used for many years.

They've been used in the past for jobs including assisting with the Pike River re-entry attempt last year, when it moved 35 tonnes of debris from the mine's ventilation shaft.