Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd.

What Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd. does

Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd. is a family-owned New Zealand helicopter operator founded in 1982 by Sir Richard Hayes and currently led by his son Michael Hayes (CEO/Pilot). The company runs two operational bases — Te Anau (Fiordland) and Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport — and operates a modern Airbus fleet comprising H130 T2, BK-117 (x3), AS350B3 Squirrel (x4), and H120B aircraft, equipped with satellite tracking, onboard flight data recorders, and night vision goggles. It is the only approved SAR and medivac operator based in Fiordland with 24/7 availability, and holds CAA NZ accreditation, ISO 9001 and 8156 certifications, and Qualmark Gold status.

The company's revenue is generated across three primary streams: (1) scenic helicopter flights for tourists to Fiordland and Aoraki/Mount Cook premium destinations, priced from NZ$220 to NZ$3,085 per person on a shared per-seat basis with FareHarbor-powered online booking; (2) private charters for weddings, elopements, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, and group experiences on a bespoke-quote basis; and (3) commercial and emergency services including firefighting (monsoon buckets up to 1,100 litres), search and rescue, medivac, construction transport, marine operations up to 100 nautical miles, and aerial filming for film productions (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, etc.). Customer segments split between B2C tourists (primary), B2B commercial/industrial clients, government/emergency services (DOC, Antarctica NZ, Hato Hone St John), and film/media production. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via website, phone, and in-person bookings, complemented by partnerships with tourism operators (Fiordland Jet, Radfords On The Lake, Fiordland Trips and Tramps) and the Wapiti Foundation.

Name

Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd.

Legal name

Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd.

Website

https://southernlakeshelicopters.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd. is a family-owned New Zealand helicopter operator running scenic flights, private charters, and commercial/emergency services from bases in Te Anau (Fiordland) and Aoraki/Mount Cook, serving tourists, government agencies, film productions, and industrial clients across the South Island and Antarctica.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Charter and Aerial Tourism Services

NAICS

Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

Scenic & Sightseeing Helicopter Tours (THABAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Helicopter Charter & Sightseeing (TLAFABAH), On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB), Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD), Helicopter Crew Change & Offshore Passenger Transfers (Oil & Gas / Wind) (TLAFACAH)

Keywords

• Scenic helicopter flights
• Helicopter charter services
• Commercial helicopter operations
• Aviation tourism services
• Aerial filming services

Headquarters

HQ city

Te Anau

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Scenic Helicopter Flights: Shared scenic flights over Fiordland and Aoraki/Mount Cook regions. Per-person pricing model with various flight durations and landing options. Primary revenue driver for tourist/experience segment.
2. Private Charter Flights: Exclusive helicopter flights for groups or bespoke experiences. Individual quotes provided based on requirements. Higher margin premium service targeting weddings, special occasions, and customized adventures.
3. Commercial Helicopter Services: Industrial and marine charters, firefighting with monsoon buckets (up to 1100 litres), search and rescue, medivac services, construction and transport operations. Supports local, regional, and national businesses.
4. Film and Photography Services: Aerial filming and photography operations for film industry (Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, etc.), international advertisements, documentaries. Specialized in mountain flying and remote location support.
5. Hunting and Fishing Transport: Charter services for hunters and fishermen accessing remote backcountry locations in Fiordland and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks. Includes Wapiti, tahr, chamois, and trout fishing trips.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd. is a family-owned helicopter aviation services provider operating from two bases in Te Anau (Fiordland) and Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand. The company offers scenic helicopter flights, private charters, commercial operations (firefighting, EMS, SAR), aerial photography and filming, hunting and fishing transport, and specialized adventure experiences for tourists, businesses, government agencies, and film productions. Services are delivered via a modern fleet of Airbus helicopters with CAA-approved safety systems and ISO 9001/8156 certifications.

Product overview

Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd. operates as a scenic helicopter flight and commercial helicopter service provider with two operational bases in Te Anau (Fiordland) and Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand. The company offers a diverse portfolio of helicopter experiences organized into three main service categories: scenic helicopter flights (including Te Anau/Fiordland and Aoraki/Mount Cook regional tours with various durations and landing options), private charter services (customizable flights for weddings, elopements, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, and group experiences), and commercial helicopter operations (emergency services, fire fighting, aerial photography/filming, construction, and marine transport). The scenic flight portfolio includes adventure experiences combining helicopter flights with hiking (Fiordland Heli Hike) and jet boating (Heli Jet Twin Lakes), as well as themed tours like the History of Fiordland. Commercial services support scientific research, conservation work, film production, and industrial operations. The company also offers specialty packages including multi-night escape experiences and Alps to Ocean bike transfer services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Te Anau/Fiordland Scenic Helicopter Flights Scenic helicopter flights departing from Te Anau, exploring Fiordland National Park including Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, and the Kepler Mountains. Various flight durations and mountain landing options available for tourists and visitors.
• Aoraki/Mount Cook Scenic Helicopter Tours Scenic helicopter tours from Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport showcasing the Southern Alps, Tasman Glacier, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, with snow landing experiences for tourists and visitors to the South Island.
• Private Charter Helicopter Flights Exclusive private helicopter charter flights for groups or bespoke experiences, customizable to client requirements. Quotes provided based on individual customer needs.
• Wedding & Elopement Helicopter Flights Private helicopter flights for weddings, elopements, and proposals at scenic mountain and glacier locations including Liebig Dome, Brass Peak, Tasman Glacier, Jackson Peaks, and Mount Kidd. Targeted at couples and wedding planners.
• Hunting & Fishing Helicopter Transport Helicopter transport services for hunting and fishing expeditions in Fiordland and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks, including remote drop-off and pick-up locations for Wapiti, tahr, chamois, and trout fishing trips.
• Kepler Track Pack Transfer Pack transfer service flying hiker bags to Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track, enabling lighter hiking on the Great Walk. Pricing varies by aircraft (EC120 up to 10 packs; AS350 Squirrel up to 15 packs).
• Commercial Helicopter Services Industrial and commercial helicopter operations including fire fighting, emergency medical services, search and rescue, aerial photography, construction transport, marine operations, and scientific research support for commercial and government clients.
• Fire, Medical & Search and Rescue Helicopter Services Emergency helicopter services including medivac, search and rescue assistance, and fire control operations using monsoon buckets with foam units. Provided for government and emergency services clients.
• Aerial Photography & Filming Helicopter Services Film production and aerial photography services with over 25 years of experience supporting feature films (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia), international advertisements, and documentaries. Specialized in mountain flying and remote location support.
• Construction & Marine Helicopter Transport Industrial and marine charter services including heavy lifting, precision flying, offshore operations up to 100 nautical miles, live crayfish transfer, and fishing crew transport.
• Fiordland Heli Hike Combined helicopter and hiking experience: 30-minute flight to Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track, followed by guided or self-guided hike back to Brod Bay. Targeted at adventure tourists.
• Heli Jet: Twin Lakes Combined helicopter and jet boat experience flying to Jackson Peaks followed by jet boat ride across Lake Manapouri and Waiau River, in partnership with Fiordland Jet.
• Southern Lakes Explorer 80-minute scenic flight over Te Anau and Manapouri lakes, landing at Mt Titiroa with views of the Kepler Track. Targeted at tourists and visitors seeking shorter scenic experiences.
• Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound Combined Flight 2-hour-15-minute flight covering both Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, combining two of Fiordland's most famous fiords.
• The Works – Fly Fiordland 3-hour premium experience visiting Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Milford Sound with three mountain landings at wilderness locations.
• Dusky & Doubtful Sound Escape Package 2-night package including accommodation at Radfords On The Lake and Dusky & Doubtful Sound scenic flight with gourmet picnic.
• History of Fiordland Tour 2-hour-30-minute flight exploring heritage sites including Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, and Preservation Inlet with Māori and European historical significance.
• Alps to Ocean Bike Transfers Helicopter transfer service for Alps to Ocean bike trail, transporting cyclists and bikes from Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport to Black Point.
• Aoraki/Mount Cook Mountaineering & Climbing Transport Logistics and operational support for mountaineering, climbing, ski touring, and film work expeditions in the Aoraki/Mount Cook region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45+ years of continuous operation in Fiordland region
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 core and minor.

• Department of Conservation (DoC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on conservation projects and protected species work in Fiordland National Park. Southern Lakes Helicopters provides transport and operational support for DOC conservation efforts, including takahē releases and wildlife management.
• Antarctica New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics and transport support for Antarctic operations, including regular flights to and from Scott Base. Supports scientific research and conservation efforts in Antarctica.
• NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration supporting scientific research and data collection in remote environments including subantarctic islands and Antarctica.
• Earth Sciences New ZealandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting geological and earth science research initiatives in remote New Zealand environments.
• Tourism Industry AotearoacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial member of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, participating in New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment initiative.
• Fiordland JetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Heli Jet: Twin Lakes experience. Southern Lakes Helicopters provides helicopter transport to Jackson Peaks, then Fiordland Jet provides jet boat ride across Lake Manapouri and Waiau River.
• Radfords On The LakecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAccommodation partner for The Dusky & Doubtful Sound Escape package, providing 2 nights in premier lakeview apartments combined with helicopter scenic flight.
• Fiordland Trips and TrampsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended guided walk provider for Fiordland Heli Hike passengers seeking guided experiences on the Kepler Track.
• Wapiti FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReferral partnership for Wapiti hunting area information and ballot system administration for Fiordland hunting operations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Helicopter Line: Queenstown-based scenic helicopter operator offering flights over Fiordland, Mount Cook, and glacier landings. Direct competitor to Southern Lakes Helicopters with overlapping product set (scenic, private charter, hunting/fishing transport) and similar target customer (tourists visiting South Island).
• Heliworks Queenstown: Queenstown helicopter operator providing scenic flights, private charters, and commercial work in the Southern Lakes region. Direct competitor to Southern Lakes Helicopters with overlapping territory and similar product positioning targeting inbound tourists.
• Over The Top Helicopters: Wanaka-based helicopter operator offering scenic flights and private charters in the Southern Alps. Direct competitor to Southern Lakes Helicopters with overlapping target customers (South Island tourists) and similar premium flight experiences.
• Glacier Helicopters: Franz Josef-based helicopter operator specializing in glacier scenic flights, snow landings, and West Coast tourism. Direct peer operating in the same South Island helicopter tourism market with similar premium experiential offerings and fleet composition.
• Alpine Helicopters (NZ): Christchurch-based helicopter operator offering commercial, charter, and scenic services. Comparable to Southern Lakes Helicopters particularly on the commercial/industrial, lifting, and SAR side of the business, with similar fleet versatility.
• Mt Hutt Helicopters: Methven-based helicopter operator serving Canterbury and the Southern Alps with scenic and commercial helicopter services. Direct peer to Southern Lakes Helicopters in the NZ helicopter tourism and commercial charter space.

Regional players

• Air Safaris: Tekapo-based fixed-wing scenic flight operator serving the Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mackenzie region. Comparable to Southern Lakes Helicopters for the Mount Cook scenic experience but operates fixed-wing aircraft and thus targets a slightly different customer segment and price point.

Broad incumbents

• Blue Hawaiian Helicopters: Largest scenic helicopter operator in Hawaii, offering premium sightseeing tours over volcanic landscapes. Comparable business model to Southern Lakes Helicopters — premium experiential helicopter tourism with strong branding, multi-base footprint, and high per-passenger pricing — though operating in a different geography and serving a more mass-market tourist base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Southernlakeshelicopters
• Instagraminstagram.com/southernlakeshelicopters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southern-lakes-helicopters-ltd-

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd.