New Zealand Helicopter Association

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New Zealand Helicopter Association As noted, there are around 900 helicopters operating in New Zealand, one of the highest per capita concentrations of rotor wing aircraft in the world.

The NZ Helicopter Association (NZHA) promotes the interests of its members in addressing issues that threaten the operations of helicopters whether that use is for commercial or private means. The NZHA also fosters links with comparable organisations overseas and with military personnel engaged in the provision, deployment and/or servicing of helicopters. The NZHA is currently working closely with the NZAAA on submissions across the country to District and Regional Plans. Membership of the NZHA is open to all commercial helicopter businesses as well as private and recreational operators. Helicopters are regulated under Part 135 of the Civil Aviation Act rules. Contact us if you want to get involved!

14/09/2026

🏆 Celebrating Excellence in Aviation

At last week’s AIANZ Gala Awards Dinner, we honoured the outstanding achievements and contributions of leaders across New Zealand’s aviation industry.

Congratulations to our 2026 award winners:

New Zealand Helicopter Association (NZAAA) Young Individual Award - Jack Griffith

New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association Lifetime Achievement Award - Kevin and Sandra Anderson, and Wayne Tantrum

New Zealand Helicopter Association (NZHA) Lifetime Contribution and Achievement Award - Simon Cometti


AEANZ - Aircraft Engineers Association New Zealand Commitment to Service Award - Don McCracken



SiS Training and Consulting Aviation Safety Award - Scott Spooner



Eye In The Sky NZLeader in Aviation Award - Blair Judd



AeroFusion Young Aviator of the Year Award - Ryan Clements



Fieldair Aviation Mentor Award - John Keyzer



ServiceIQ Industry Award for Aviation Engineering - Ian Frazer



UAVNZ - The Commercial Drone Industry Association Innovator of the Year Award - SPS Automation



UAVNZ - The Commercial Drone Industry Association Excellence in Industry Award - Scotty Horgan



UAVNZ - The Commercial Drone Industry Association Safety Award - OC Aerial



AIANZ Richard Pearse Award - Droneshows



AIANZ Individual Award - Richard Small



Civil Aviation Authority of NZ (CAA) Director’s Award - Rick Graham

Read more about the Gala Awards Dinner here: https://aianz.org.nz/aviation-industry-association-award-winners-2026/

Wondering about HSWA in aviation? How to be proactive?A pathway to compliance: being proactive rather than reactive to r...
04/09/2026

Wondering about HSWA in aviation? How to be proactive?

A pathway to compliance: being proactive rather than reactive to regulatory interventions by Duncan Ferrier from Barrister Capital Chambers.

Duncan is a member of the Aviation Law Association of Australia & New Zealand.

Come and check it out 6-8 Sep.
https://aianz.org.nz/conferences-workshops/annual-conference/

01/09/2026

NZ Helicopter Safety: Spatial Disorientation & Weather Decision-Making (4/4)
Loss of situational awareness and spatial disorientation feature prominently in Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and night operations. Unintentional entry into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), reduced horizon references, low cloud, fog, or flat light can cause rapid disorientation and loss of control. High cockpit workload and navigation or vision-aid issues further compound these hazards.
Key Control & Mitigation: Maintaining instrument proficiency and currency for night and HEMS crews. Operators should enforce strict equipment discipline for night-vision and navigation systems while establishing firm, non-negotiable decision-making thresholds for early escape or reversal routes back to base. Or just land and live.
Come to the annual conference 6-8 Sep to find out more https://aianz.org.nz/

30/08/2026

NZ Helicopter Safety: External Loads & Pre-Flight Discipline - Securing the Details (3/4)
External load work recorded 78 inadvertent load releases, primarily caused by release mechanism failures, pilot button errors under high workload, and flawed rigging. Additionally, maintenance-related foreign object debris (FOD) led to 212 reported occurrences, while inadvertent openings of cabin doors, engine cowlings, or cargo pods occurred 161 times. Passenger interference with controls during loading also poses a severe precursor risk.

Key Control & Mitigation: Implementing ground handling discipline and tool control. Mandate checks for latches, cowlings, and cargo pods, standardise load rigging procedures, inspect release mechanism integrity, and deliver clear, structured passenger safety briefings.

Check out the conference program 6-8 September to find out more https://aianz.org.nz/

29/08/2026

NZ Helicopter Safety: Agricultural Operations: Protecting Performance Margins (2/4)
Agricultural spraying operations account for the largest proportion of reported accidents and serious incidents across the sector. Engine power loss and RPM decay frequently result in autorotations, hard landings, and dynamic rollovers. Furthermore, wire strikes and rotor contact with trees or fences remain prominent, often triggered by pilot fatigue, task fixation, or last-minute inflight plan changes.

Key Control & Mitigation: Strictly operating within aircraft performance margins and enforcing pilot fatigue management protocols on long operating days. Operators must maintain regular emergency handling proficiency and mandate that pilots avoid unassessed, last-minute plan changes near known obstacles.

Get to the conference to find out more 6-8 September https://aianz.org.nz/

Address

Rawlinsons House, 5-7 Willeston Street
Wellington
6011

Telephone

+6444722707

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