Lakes District Air Rescue Trust chairman Jules Tapper said Mr Hayes' Queenstown company, Heliworks Queenstown (2012) Ltd, was the successful submitter.
"More than four" companies lodged tenders. Previously, the work was shared between three companies on rotation.
"Experienced paramedics or doctors on emergency medical service work, and trained observers and winchmen on other work, will ensure the South is well served in this specialised area."
Last month, Mr Hayes won the contract to provide flying operations at Scott Base in the Antarctic for the 2012-13 season.
He was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000 for services to search and rescue.
In a "semi-dedicated" operation, helicopter crews will be expected to be airborne within 20 minutes during the day and 40 minutes at night.
There would be one helicopter in Queenstown and another in Te Anau available at all times. Mr Tapper said Queenstown had the advantage of St John paramedics being just across the road from where the helicopter was based.
Mr Tapper said nine air rescue trusts throughout New Zealand recently joined forces in the new Air Rescue Group, which works with the National Ambulance Sector Office, representing the Ministry of Health and ACC. As part of that restructuring, new national standards were set.
"The big thing is, to be in the game you have got to meet these standards." Mr Hayes told the Otago Daily Times although the new arrangement was still not a fully dedicated service, it would improve efficiency.
