Wilderness + Wildlife

Enjoy a flight over unspoilt country before your pilot lands at your destination to experience the epitome of New Zealand wilderness and the beauty of our wildlife.

Karearea Falcon Experience

A unique experience learning about New Zealand's last remaining endemic bird of prey. See restoration efforts in action with a behind the scenes Private Centre Tour, and the opportunity for an up close and personal Kārearea Encounter.

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Arapawa Pearl Tours Marlborough Sounds

Learn how to grow and harvest the unique New Zealand Paua. Follow the coastline to the Marlborough Sounds, landing on the shores of Arapawa Island.

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Heli-Farm Tour Middlehurst Station

This is a precious opportunity for a true New Zealand experience that is authentic and immersive. The incredible views, warm hospitality and a gourmet lunch catered by Middlehurst’s professional chef.

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Kahurangi Alpine Lake Picnic

Enjoy stunning scenery and a gourmet picnic at a remote Alpine Lake

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Hunting

Helicopter charter hunting trips to remote and spectacular alpine locations.

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Trout Fishing

The Nelson Marlborough region offers some of the best brown trout fishing in the world

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Kahurangi/ Golden Bay Scenic with Farewell Spit Eco Tour

Fly over the Kahurangi mountains and explore the wilderness of Farewell Spit

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Stay in luxury

We are ideally situated to offer private charters, airport-to-lodge and lodge-to-lodge transfers throughout New Zealand. Stay at some of the most breathtaking and remote places in the Top of the South Island. Places that allow you to relax and unwind and literally unplug, enabling you to truly enjoy the person you’re with and what’s around you.

Accommodation Heli-Connect

Testimonials

Over the past five months, I’ve been deeply immersed in an adventurous project that has pushed boundaries and opened new horizons. This job wouldn’t have been achievable without the invaluable support of helicopters and their dedicated team.

I’m immensely grateful to the pilots and staff at Helicopters Nelson for their unwavering commitment to safety and their relentless hard work. Their dedication has been instrumental in making this project a success. Their pride in serving our community and region shines through in every action they take.

Nathan Faavae

I did my license conversion CASA to CAA and AS350 rating with the crew at Helicopters Nelson and what a awesome experience it was, cannot recommend a better place to do it. Very close to the mountains makes it a great spot to get that experience up with hut landings and confine spaces of all levels from basic to tricky, snow landings at the right time of the year and long line situations that require short and longer lines to get that real world situation awareness/experience.

Ethan

Training for my private and commercial pilots licence with Helicopters Nelson was an awesome experience that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. They have very professional and knowledgeable instructors that not only got me flying to a commercial level but also to a level where I’m confident, feel safe and enjoy every minute in the air! I highly recommend training with the team at Helicopters Nelson – they make the whole experience very enjoyable while keeping to a very professional standard and I can’t wait to see where it will lead me in future.

Karl

Great company and staff that I have had the privilege of doing my flight training with, highly recommend getting in touch with the team at Helicopters Nelson if you are at all interested in learning to fly.

Jake

I was trained by Pete, Thomas and Charlie and I can’t thank them enough for the work they put in to get me to that commercial license. Gave me a lot of real world flying knowledge and skills that have given me an opportunity to go out and find work in Australia. Very professional family owned company. Would recommend them to anyone looking for a start in aviation.

Matt

Now that I am back in Auckland and catching up generally, I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you to both you and Charlie for making my Dad’s birthday flight so amazing 🙂

The flight was incredible and it was so good for Dad having someone who really knew the area, we were all super impressed with Charlie and felt like we were in safe and very knowledgeable hands every minute.

Big thanks to you also for making all the logistics and arrangements so easy, nothing was a problem and I so appreciated that.

If we ever get the chance to charter another flight we will most definitely be back to see you guys.

Thank you for a wonderful experience 🙂

PS – chocolate brownies were pretty damned good too 🙂

Maree Hodgkinson

We had an absolutely amazing time! Thank you so much again for setting up on such short notice!

Sarah Cattaneo

As you requested I can confirm that the Heaphy has spit me out rather sore, tired …. at Kohaihai this midday but also happy to have achieved my challenge.
I would like to thank Charlie, Toby , Pete and the rest of the team for helping making this happen for me.
The flight was AMAZING over the Cobb valley and down the Aorere valley to Brown Hut.
Deb was equally taken with the return journey over Takaka hill and the Abel Tasman.
Our pilot, Charlie, pointed out all the points of interest as well as handling the craft in some unpredictable wind. His knowledge of the terrain and his handling of the helicopter significantly added to the experience for us.
Very many thanks.

John Dillon

We thoroughly loved it, flight was amazing and the whole experience was fantastic, we’re recommending it to all our friends. The meal was great also so apart from the cold wind off the sea on the beach everything was perfect. We really appreciate your attention to detail and your service was outstanding, thanks.

Jan and Norm Double

We just wanted to say a massive thank you for organising our trip and being so helpful with the arrangements – including arranging to have our bags delivered!
We had a fantastic flight, the views were truly unbelievable and the picnic was wonderful. Best experience ever, thanks so much!

Annie

After four wonderful weeks in New Zealand it’s hard to name a single highlight, but our flight to Mt Owen is definitely a prime candidate. Thanks for this unforgettable memory.

Christian - Germany

What a magnificent experience you gave Ray and I today. From the time we took off to our return to base, everywhere were stunning sights and visions to behold. To stand on Mt Olympus and perhaps walk in the hobbit footsteps and recognize the rocks and scenery, to the wonderful morning tea at Mt Owen, and later the journey around the mountain to the Mines of Moria and the Misty Mountains, every single minute has given us and me in particular, amazing memories to relive for years to come.

We are deeply grateful for all you did for us, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Jean

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