Heliventures NZ

Heliventures NZ Ltd is a helicopter operator established in 2009 and run by Craig and Nicki McMillan. It flies year-round aerial support from two bases, Oamaru Airport and Pukaki Airport in Twizel, covering Otago, South Canterbury and the Mackenzie Country. The site says it also travels around New Zealand and the Pacific for specialised projects.

Services

• Agricultural work: aerial spraying, fertiliser application, seeding, wilding pine control, fire lighting, frost protection, mustering and pest control
• Commercial work: aerial shooting for pest control, power line services, firefighting, live animal capture, precision lifting, survey work and venison recovery
• Hunting, scenic flights, transfers and weddings from Oamaru
• Hunting and scenic flights from Twizel

Fleet

The helicopters page lists eight aircraft of five types:

• Airbus AS355NP twin, one aircraft, five to six passengers, 1,100 kg maximum external load
• Airbus AS350 B3+, one aircraft, five to six passengers, 1,200 kg maximum external load
• Airbus AS350 B2, one aircraft, five to six passengers, 1,100 kg maximum external load
• McDonnell Douglas MD520N, four aircraft, four passengers, 650 kg maximum external load
• Schweizer 300C, one aircraft, two passengers, 250 kg maximum external load

Company facts

• Established in 2009
• Gold Sitewise accreditation, which the site says followed a health and safety audit
• Bases at Oamaru Airport and Pukaki Airport, Twizel