Thread: Air access into Kaweka - Kaimanawa

Access & landing into Kaweka - Kaimanawa

1) Are there limited Flight Operators (Helisika for example) that have "Sole" landing rights ?

2) Can a hunter be put down anywhere other than Huts (and hopefully picked up again on a scheduled date :-)

1) yes. Heli operators need to be granted a concession to land passengers in the Forest parks.
2) no. They can only land at designated landing sites. Landing sites must also be booked by an operator over a period. This prevents operators landing clients on top of other clients.

The two main operators in this area are Helisika and East Kaweka Helicopters.

Certain areas of the Kaimanawa are no go for helicopters because they fall within the remote experience zone.

Originally Posted by Daggers_187

1) yes. Heli operators need to be granted a concession to land passengers in the Forest parks.
2) no. They can only land at designated landing sites. Landing sites must also be booked by an operator over a period. This prevents operators landing clients on top of other clients.

The two main operators in this area are Helisika and East Kaweka Helicopters.

Certain areas of the Kaimanawa are no go for helicopters because they fall within the remote experience zone.

Thanks for that
Yes - I knew about the "Wilderness Zones"
So these two Parks are "public areas" ??
But there is a monopoly - created by CAA or the Parks Board ??

Just curious about the later

Is there a limitation on Permits for unlimited # to "walk/hike" into Parks ?????

Boyd airstrip, Kaimanawa's is accessible by fixed wing , operator needs DOC landing permit. Hunters just need hunting permit, free for all, first in first served.

Originally Posted by Sarvo

Thanks for that
Yes - I knew about the "Wilderness Zones"
So these two Parks are "public areas" ??
But there is a monopoly - created by CAA or the Parks Board ??

Just curious about the later

Is there a limitation on Permits for unlimited # to "walk/hike" into Parks ?????

There's no monopoly just very few operators that fly in there. A few years ago there was 3 operators off the taupo road alone that had concessions for the Kawekas and Kaimanawas.
There's no limit to how many people can walk in, first in first served. The fly in system that is set up saves a lot of heart break when people spend money to fly in only to find another party or 2 already there which still does happen in other places.

Originally Posted by TLB

There's no monopoly just very few operators that fly in there. A few years ago there was 3 operators off the taupo road alone that had concessions for the Kawekas and Kaimanawas.
There's no limit to how many people can walk in, first in first served. The fly in system that is set up saves a lot of heart break when people spend money to fly in only to find another party or 2 already there which still does happen in other places.

AFAIK This is dependant on which doc office is managing the hut. The cni office I believe doesn't have the same setup, they will drop people on top of each other. Oamaru, boyd etc operate like this.

From Tussock East is where booking is required, managed by a different office

Had helisika drop up off at tussock and then a few days later another party was dropped off on top of us so no guarantees really

Originally Posted by superdiver

Had helisika drop up off at tussock and then a few days later another party was dropped off on top of us so no guarantees really

Why can you not get dropped off away from Huts?
Who is behind that rule or stipulation?
I understand the Wilderness Zones Re no landing

Originally Posted by Sarvo

Why can you not get dropped off away from Huts?
Who is behind that rule or stipulation?
I understand the Wilderness Zones Re no landing

i know helisika will drop off up jap creek..........or they used to

Originally Posted by scotty

i know helisika will drop off up jap creek..........or they used to

Yea been dropped in the river at base of map creek but I think it's a designated land area.

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I can understand why they only want designated landing sites!
After the amount of rubbish we took away from the hut on Stewart Island which is only visited by hunters, not saying we are all untidy Kiwis but...some guys just can’t take only photos ah.
With designated landing sites any rubbish will hopefully be left in one spot, so then can be easily picked up.
Also can you imagine this...your stalking in on a nice little clearing with a stag going off or you have seen deer there beforehand and wham in drops a helicopter right in the middle of your hunt yep NO let’s leave this as designated landing sites....if your to lazy to walk from these then tough.

Originally Posted by Sarvo

Why can you not get dropped off away from Huts?
Who is behind that rule or stipulation?
I understand the Wilderness Zones Re no landing

Doc
And most the company's do work for doc so dont bend the rules.
It's a great rule you can walk in for a full day to a quiet spot and not have to worry about some heli hunters getting dumped in next to ya with big canvas tents and beer.

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Originally Posted by BRADS

Doc
And most the company's do work for doc so dont bend the rules.
It's a great rule you can walk in for a full day to a quiet spot and not have to worry about some heli hunters getting dumped in next to ya with big canvas tents and beer.

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Fuck that been there got the T-shirt. Had Southern Lakes drop a party in who did exactly that on us up the Upuk in a wilderness area.

Year the customer is always right....so the poor old pilot might have said to the group hey there’s already a group in here. The group might have just replied straight back SO What! Drop us there!

A few mates used helisika last week, said they would never bother again, reckon the choppers where buzzing them while glassing from the ridge tops.