Christchurch Helicopters

What Christchurch Helicopters does

Christchurch Helicopters is a privately-held New Zealand helicopter services operator founded in 2001 and headquartered at 25 Aviation Drive, Harewood, at Christchurch International Airport. The company runs a diversified portfolio across four primary verticals: scenic flight experiences over Canterbury and the South Island (Christchurch City, Banks Peninsula, Southern Alps, Mt Cook, Kaikoura, Rakaia); NZQA-accredited pilot training including a 68-week NZ Diploma in Aviation, PPL/CPL, instructor ratings, and advanced ratings; commercial operations covering firefighting, heavy lifting, frost control, aerial survey, and LiDAR; and agricultural services spanning spraying, mustering, sowing, and wilding pine control. A diverse fleet of approximately ten aircraft across seven helicopter types — including Airbus AS355 F2, H125 B3E, AS350 B2, EC120 Colibri, MD500E, MD520N, and Guimbal Cabri G2 — supports these lines, with proprietary systems such as the Simplex Fire Attack belly tank, TracMap GPS for wilding pine treatment, and the MD520N's NOTAR anti-torque configuration deployed for specialized use cases.

The business is operated by the Murdoch family, with Terry Murdoch serving as CEO of CHL Group, Tim Murdoch leading Part 135 operations and marketing, and Jack Murdoch heading agricultural operations. Sister company Pacific Aircraft Services distributes the Guimbal Cabri G2 in New Zealand, adding a hardware sales vertical tied to OEM allocation. Customer mix spans long-tail individual tourists, government-funded training students, Canterbury farmers, and recurring government contracts with the Department of Conservation and Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Pricing is per-transaction across all service lines (e.g., scenic tours NZD $425–$5,090 per person; trial flights NZD $425), with gift vouchers sold online at fixed denominations.

The company is NZCAA-certified under Part 135 (Commercial Air Transport), Part 137 (Agricultural Operations), and Part 141 (Check and Training), and is NZQA-accredited as a Private Training Establishment approved for Tertiary Education Commission student loan funding. Marketing is primarily direct-to-consumer via the company website, a Facebook presence, email newsletter, and Qualmark/Sustainable Tourism certification badges, while B2B commercial services are sold directly to enterprise and government clients. The Flight Path conservation partnership with the Department of Conservation (announced 2017) supports orange-fronted kākāriki (parakeet) recovery and serves as a brand-differentiating ESG platform.

Name

Christchurch Helicopters

Legal name

Christchurch Helicopters

Website

https://christchurchhelicopters.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Christchurch Helicopters is a privately-held New Zealand helicopter operator at Christchurch International Airport offering scenic flights, NZQA-accredited pilot training, agricultural operations, and commercial services (firefighting, heavy lifting, LiDAR) across the South Island.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Flight Training (611512), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours (TLAFACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB), VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH), Manned Aerial Application (Fixed-Wing & Helicopter Crop Dusting) (AFACAIAA), On-Demand/Charter Helicopter Passenger Services (THABAGAB)

Keywords

• Helicopter scenic tours
• Pilot training programs
• Aerial firefighting
• Agricultural aerial services
• Commercial charter flights

Headquarters

HQ city

Christchurch

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Scenic Flight Tours: Revenue from helicopter scenic tours over Canterbury, Southern Alps, Banks Peninsula, glaciers, and custom experiences. Pricing varies per passenger and group size.
2. Pilot Training: Revenue from NZQA-accredited Diploma in Aviation program (68 weeks), PPL, CPL, instructor ratings, and advanced training courses. Student loan funding available.
3. Agricultural Operations: Spraying (gorse, broom, wilding pines), sowing, spreading fertiliser, mustering, heavy lifting for farmers and landowners.
4. Commercial Operations: Firefighting (with belly tanks and buckets), frost control, heavy lifting, concrete/gravel placement, wire stringing, power pole lifting, aerial survey, LiDAR, aerial photography.
5. Gift Vouchers: Prepaid gift vouchers for trial flights and scenic tours sold online.
6. Guimbal Cabri G2 Sales: Helicopter sales through sister company Pacific Aircraft Services as New Zealand's exclusive Cabri G2 distributor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Christchurch Helicopters sells helicopter-based flight experiences and aviation services, including scenic tours over Canterbury and the Southern Alps, NZQA-accredited pilot training, commercial operations (heavy lifting, firefighting, frost control, aerial survey and LiDAR), and agricultural services (spraying, mustering, wilding pine control). It also distributes Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters in New Zealand through sister company Pacific Aircraft Services and runs the Flight Path conservation programme with the Department of Conservation.

Product overview

Christchurch Helicopters operates a comprehensive helicopter services platform offering scenic flight experiences, commercial operations, agricultural services, and pilot training. The core offering consists of scenic flights (including Christchurch City, Southern Alps, Mt Cook, and various specialty tours like wine tasting and glacier experiences), commercial services (heavy lifting, fire fighting, frost control, sluicing, and aerial survey), agricultural operations (spraying, sowing, mustering, and wilding pine control), and professional pilot training programs. The company maintains a diverse fleet including Airbus AS355, H125, AS350 B2, EC120, Guimbal Cabri G2, MD 500E, and MD 520N helicopters. Additional offerings include Guimbal Cabri G2 aircraft sales through sister company Pacific Aircraft Services, LiDAR and aerial photography services, wedding ceremonies, hunting/fishing tours, and the Flight Path conservation program. The company holds NZCAA Part 135, 137, and 141 certifications and is NZQA accredited for training programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scenic Flight Experiences (Big Backyard Tours) Helicopter scenic flights over Canterbury and the South Island, featuring destinations such as Christchurch City, Lyttelton, Mt. Herbert, Southern Alps, Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, Kaikoura, Mt Cook, Tasman Glacier, and Rakaia Glaciers. Sold to domestic and international tourists and leisure visitors, with multiple tour durations and price points including per-person rates with group discounts.
• Helicopter Trial Flight A 30-minute introductory helicopter flight in a Guimbal Cabri G2 where the participant takes control of the aircraft under instructor guidance, priced at NZD $425 per person including pre-flight briefing. Targeted at consumers seeking a gift experience or a personal bucket-list item.
• Executive Charter VIP and executive helicopter charter services for high-end tourism and corporate transportation, departing from Christchurch International Airport.
• Hunting and Fishing Tours Helicopter transport to hunting locations (Red Deer, Fallow Deer, Pigs, Chamois, Wallabies, Tahr) and fishing spots (Salmon and Trout) throughout the South Island, with optional guided services.
• Wedding Services Helicopter wedding ceremonies, proposals, wedding photography, and grand entrances at locations including Mt Herbert, Southern Alps, Banks Peninsula beaches, and Rakaia Glaciers.
• Gift Vouchers Gift vouchers for various helicopter experiences including trial flights, scenic tours, and bespoke experiences, available in denominations from $100 to $2,130, sold through the website storefront.
• Pilot Training (NZ Diploma in Aviation and Licence Courses) Full pilot training programmes including the NZQA-accredited NZ Diploma in Aviation (Level 5, 68 weeks), Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Flight Instructor Rating, and Advanced Training and Ratings (Night Rating, Sling Rating, Instructional Techniques Course, Mountain Training). Targeted at aspiring commercial helicopter pilots.
• Agricultural Helicopter Operations Aerial spraying (brushweed, gorse, broom, insecticide, fungicide, liquid fertiliser), sowing and spreading, livestock mustering, heavy lifting on farms, wilding pines control using TracMap GPS, and wild animal management services for farmers and landowners across Canterbury and the South Island.
• Commercial Helicopter Services Commercial helicopter services for government and enterprise clients, including heavy lifting, firefighting with the Simplex Fire Attack tank, frost control, sluicing, concrete and gravel placement, remote operations, wire stringing and power pole lifting, and aerial survey and research.
• LiDAR and Aerial Photography Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) services for mapping, erosion monitoring, forestry management, infrastructure mapping, and biodiversity assessment, combined with aerial photography capabilities. Provided to enterprise, research, and government clients.
• Guimbal Cabri G2 Helicopter Sales Sales of Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters — a two-seat piston-engine training and touring helicopter with composite fuselage, fully articulated main rotor, and Fenestron tail rotor — as New Zealand's exclusive distributor via sister company Pacific Aircraft Services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates employment-ready with skills meeting industry expectations as entry-level commercial helicopter pilots

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Department of Conservation (DOC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership to save the endangered orange-fronted kākāriki (parakeet) through Flight Path conservation programme. Christchurch Helicopters provides transport support and fundraising for DOC's captive breeding and research programmes.
• Pacific Aircraft ServicescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSister company of Christchurch Helicopters, operating as New Zealand's exclusive distributor for Guimbal Cabri G2 aircraft sales.
• New Zealand National Parks & Conservation Foundation (NPCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable trust holding donated funds separately to support DOC's orange-fronted kākāriki recovery programme with independent assurance.
• Fire and Emergency New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for wildfire fighting operations and controlled burn support using helicopter capabilities.
• The George (Hotel)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partner for Flight Path conservation programme.
• Terra Nova FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partner for Flight Path conservation programme.
• PAK'nSAVE RiccartonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partner for Flight Path conservation programme.
• MainPowerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partner for Flight Path conservation programme.
• Avon City FordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partner for Flight Path conservation programme.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Helicopter Line: The Helicopter Line is one of New Zealand's largest helicopter tourism operators, offering scenic flights, charter, and commercial work across the South Island (Queenstown, Franz Josef, Mt Cook). Direct comparable to Christchurch Helicopters' scenic, charter, and commercial service mix with overlapping operational regions.
• Glacier Helicopters: Glacier Helicopters operates scenic and charter helicopter services from Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers on the South Island. Directly comparable for glacier and alpine scenic tour offerings that overlap with Christchurch Helicopters' Mt Cook, Tasman Glacier, and Southern Alps experiences.
• Over The Top Helicopters: Over The Top Helicopters is an Auckland-based operator offering scenic flights, charter, and commercial services. Comparable New Zealand helicopter operator with overlapping scenic and commercial offerings, though based in the North Island.
• Alpine Helicopters: Alpine Helicopters operates a multi-base helicopter business in New Zealand covering scenic flights, charter, agricultural, and commercial work. Comparable for diversified helicopter service portfolio with similar target segments including farmers, hunters, and tourists.
• Helicopters NZ: Helicopters NZ provides charter, tourism, agricultural, and commercial helicopter services across multiple New Zealand bases. Comparable for multi-service helicopter operations including agricultural spraying, lifting, and charter that overlap with Christchurch Helicopters' commercial portfolio.
• Heliworks: Heliworks is a New Zealand helicopter operator specializing in forestry, agricultural, and commercial work. Directly comparable for agricultural spraying, lifting, and commercial operations that overlap with Christchurch Helicopters' Part 137 agricultural services.

Regional players

• Wanaka Helicopters: Wanaka Helicopters operates scenic and charter flights from Wanaka in the South Island. Comparable for premium scenic helicopter experiences in overlapping South Island alpine terrain, though based in a different region than Christchurch.
• Mount Hutt Helicopters: Mount Hutt Helicopters operates scenic flights, heli-skiing, and commercial services in the Canterbury/Methven region. Comparable for scenic and commercial helicopter services in the same Canterbury region as Christchurch Helicopters.

Broad incumbents

• Air New Zealand: Air New Zealand is the national carrier operating scheduled passenger and cargo services from Christchurch International Airport. While not a helicopter operator, it represents a broad incumbent in New Zealand aviation sharing the same airport base and broader tourism ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Asia Pacific Airlines (NZ): Asia Pacific Airlines is a Palmerston North-based air operator providing charter and freight services. Comparable as a New Zealand-based non-scheduled air transport operator with charter capabilities, though focused on fixed-wing rather than rotary operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ChristchurchHelicopters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/christchurch-helicopters

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Christchurch Helicopters