HELIWORKS LTD

What HELIWORKS LTD does

Heliworks Queenstown (legally Action Helicopters Ltd) is a privately held helicopter tourism and commercial aviation operator headquartered in Queenstown, New Zealand. The company runs a 7-aircraft fleet comprising 2x Kawasaki BK117 twin-engine, 1x Airbus H130, 1x Airbus EC130, and 3x Airbus H125 (Squirrel) helicopters, supported by approximately 15+ named staff including pilots, management, office, and ground crew, operating from a main hangar at 64 Grant Road in Frankton and a customer-facing shop at 37 Camp Street in central Queenstown.

The business operates across roughly ten distinct revenue streams: premium scenic flights over Queenstown, the Southern Alps, Milford Sound, Fiordland, and the exclusive Earnslaw Burn landing site (priced NZD $395-$2,395 per seat); private charters (NZD $2,475-$20,120 per aircraft); helicopter weddings, elopements, and proposals; heli-hiking, heli-fishing, heli-hunting, and heli-skiing adventures; aerial filming and photography with 20+ years of credits including Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit; aerial firefighting as a FENZ-approved operator; search and rescue support with Human External Cargo capability; heavy lifting/long-lining; aerial sluicing; and farming/conservation work for the Department of Conservation.

Heliworks holds the sole helicopter landing rights to the Earnslaw Burn in partnership with its sister company Heli Glenorchy — a regulatory exclusivity that anchors its competitive position. The company is approved by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority, certified Qualmark Gold, an FENZ-approved aerial firefighting operator (one of only two in NZ with Simplex Fire-Bombing tanks), and recognized with 2025 SAR Awards. Revenue is generated primarily through direct-to-consumer bookings via its website and reservations team, supplemented by trade partner referrals, inbound operators, wedding industry networks, and government contracts. The business is privately owned by local stakeholders with no disclosed external funding, no public listing, and no publicly disclosed revenue figures.

Name

HELIWORKS LTD

Legal name

Action Helicopters Ltd

Website

https://queenstownhelicopters.nz

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Heliworks Queenstown is a privately held helicopter tourism and commercial aviation operator in Queenstown, New Zealand, running a 7-aircraft fleet serving tourists, wedding couples, corporate groups, government emergency services, and film productions across the Southern Alps and Fiordland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Tourism and Aviation Services

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Scenic & Sightseeing Helicopter Tours (THABAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB), Helicopter Resort & Remote Destination Transfers (TLAFACAF), Manned Aerial Application (Fixed-Wing & Helicopter Crop Dusting) (AFACAIAA)

Keywords

• Scenic helicopter flights
• Helicopter charter services
• Aerial firefighting services
• Helicopter tourism
• Commercial helicopter operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Queenstown

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Scenic Helicopter Flights: Shared scenic flights over Queenstown, Milford Sound, Fiordland, and the Southern Alps with per-person pricing ranging from $395 to $2,395. Passengers are combined in helicopters carrying up to 9 people.
2. Private Helicopter Charters: Exclusive private helicopter charters priced per aircraft (not per person), making them cost-effective for couples, families, and small groups. Prices range from $2,475 to $20,120 per charter depending on duration and aircraft type. Includes bespoke experiences, weddings, proposals, and corporate events.
3. Wedding and Elopement Services: Helicopter wedding ceremonies, elopements, and proposals at exclusive alpine locations including Earnslaw Burn, Cecil Peak, and remote glaciers. Coordinated with local wedding planners, celebrants, photographers, and venues.
4. Commercial Filming and Photography: Over 20 years of experience in feature film and commercial work. Services include aerial cinematography, camera mounting, crew and gear transport, and location scouting. Credits include Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Water Horse, King Kong, and others.
5. Aerial Firefighting Services: Approved operator for Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). Services include firebombing with under-belly tanks, crew transport, and remote fire suppression. One of only two operators in New Zealand with Simplex Fire-Bombing tank capability.
6. Search and Rescue Operations: Partnership with local SAR teams providing rapid aerial response for emergencies in remote terrain. Includes HEC capability for extracting rescuers or patients from inaccessible locations.
7. Heavy Lifting and Long Lining: Specialist aerial lifting services using long rope or cable for transporting heavy or awkward items into remote areas. Applications include construction, infrastructure support, forestry, and boat recovery.
8. Farming and Conservation Services: Year-round support for farming, forestry communities, and Department of Conservation including tree logging, aerial surveying, weed and pest control, frost protection, animal mustering, and personnel transportation.
9. Aerial Sluicing: Commercial method using water to remove hazardous materials from roads, including aerial rock stabilisation, landslip clearing, and meshing. Heavily involved in Kaikōura earthquake response.
10. Heli-Skiing: World-class heli skiing experiences providing exclusive access to untouched powder fields and alpine terrain of the Southern Alps.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Heliworks Queenstown operates a fleet of 7 helicopters (Kawasaki BK117 twin-engine, Airbus H130, EC130, and H125 Squirrel) to deliver scenic helicopter flights, private charters, weddings and elopements, commercial filming, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, heavy lifting, aerial sluicing, and agricultural and conservation support across the Southern Lakes, Fiordland, and Otago regions of New Zealand's South Island. The company holds exclusive helicopter landing rights to the Earnslaw Burn alpine valley, making it the sole operator for one of New Zealand's most exclusive heli experiences.

Product overview

Heliworks Queenstown is a luxury helicopter tour and commercial helicopter operator based in Queenstown, New Zealand, offering scenic flights, private charters, weddings, and emergency services. The core product portfolio centers on scenic helicopter flights including Earnslaw Burn Explorer, Fiordland's Finest, Milford Sound Explorer, Snow Landing, Glacier Express, and Remarkables Scenic, which can be booked as shared experiences or private charters. The company also provides corporate services (Christmas parties, conferences, incentives), adventure experiences (heli-hiking, heli-fishing, heli-hunting), and commercial operations (filming, heavy lifting, firefighting, search and rescue, aerial sluicing, farming support). The fleet includes Kawasaki BK117, Airbus H130, EC130, and H125 Squirrel helicopters. The company holds exclusive landing rights to the Earnslaw Burn location and operates year-round weather-dependent services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scenic Helicopter Flights Luxury shared helicopter flights over Queenstown, Milford Sound, Fiordland, and the Southern Alps with glacier landings, snow landings, and exclusive Earnslaw Burn landings. Includes named experiences such as Remarkables Scenic, Snow Landing, Earnslaw Burn Express, Earnslaw Burn Picnic, Earnslaw Burn Explorer, Glacier Express, Milford Sound Explorer, and Fiordland's Finest with per-person pricing from $395 to $2,395.
• Private Helicopter Charters Bespoke private helicopter charter flights priced per aircraft (not per person) with tailored itineraries. Includes weddings, proposals, corporate events, heli-skiing, and luxury experiences using the Kawasaki BK117 nine-seater twin-engine and other aircraft. Pricing ranges from $2,475 to $20,120 per charter.
• Heli Weddings & Elopements Luxury helicopter wedding ceremonies and elopements at exclusive alpine locations including Earnslaw Burn, Cecil Peak, and Coromandel Peak, coordinated with local wedding planners, celebrants, photographers, and venues.
• Helicopter Proposals Private helicopter proposal flights to scenic alpine locations with professional photography options for capturing the special moment.
• Heli-Hiking Guided hiking experiences following helicopter drop-off at remote alpine locations including Earnslaw Burn, with custom itineraries for various fitness levels.
• Conference & Incentives Corporate helicopter experiences for conferences and incentive groups, including Milford Sound flights, alpine landings, and catering at remote locations, in partnership with Queenstown Convention Bureau.
• Heliworks Christmas Parties Private helicopter tours for corporate Christmas celebrations to remote locations including Earnslaw Burn, alpine lakes, Rees Valley, and Humboldt Mountains.
• Filming & Photography Services Professional helicopter filming and aerial photography services for film productions, commercials, and media with over 20 years of experience including credits on Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
• Long Lining (Heavy Lifting) Specialist helicopter heavy lifting and aerial transport services for construction sites, remote infrastructure, forestry, and equipment placement using long rope or cable.
• Helicopter Firefighting Aerial firefighting and emergency support services as an approved operator for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, using under-belly Simplex fire-bombing tanks (1,200 litres) and Cloudburst fire buckets with foam injection capability.
• Search and Rescue Aerial search and rescue support with Human External Cargo (HEC) capability, low-level navigation, GPS mapping, and advanced communications in coordination with local SAR teams.
• Aerial Sluicing Aerial sluicing services for rock stabilization, landslip clearing, and meshing, including involvement in Kaikōura earthquake response.
• Farming & Conservation Services Agricultural and conservation helicopter support including tree logging, aerial surveying, weed and pest control, animal mustering, frost protection, and Department of Conservation work.
• Milford Sound Heli-Cruise-Heli 4-5 hour experience combining helicopter flight with boutique boat cruise on Milford Sound, including alpine landings and curated two-course lunch options.
• Heli Wine Express Private helicopter wine tour combining aerial views of Central Otago wine region with boutique vineyard tastings.
• Heli Jet Combo 2-hour combined jet boat ride through Skippers Canyon with scenic helicopter flight and exclusive alpine landing.
• Doubtful Sound Discovery 2.75-hour helicopter charter to Doubtful Sound featuring remote fiord landscapes without crowds.
• Heli Fishing Private heli fishing experiences in remote wilderness areas of South Island with half-day and full-day options.
• Heli Hunting Heli-assisted hunting adventures providing access to remote and untouched wilderness for New Zealand hunting experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 986 verified five-star reviews across Google (462) and TripAdvisor (524)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Heli GlenorchycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company and sole partner for exclusive Earnslaw Burn landing rights. Together, Heliworks and Heli Glenorchy are the only operators permitted to land at the Earnslaw Burn - a remote alpine valley inaccessible by road. This exclusive partnership provides a unique competitive advantage in the helicopter tourism market.
• Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved aerial firefighting operator for FENZ. One of only two operators in New Zealand flying with under-belly Simplex Fire-Bombing tanks. Provides rapid aerial response for vegetation fires across Otago and Southland regions.
• Department of Conservation (DOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive supporter providing aerial support for conservation initiatives across Queenstown Lakes and Fiordland regions. Services include transporting staff and equipment to remote locations, pest control, wildlife monitoring, and emergency response.
• Search and Rescue Teams (SAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose partnership with local SAR teams for rapid aerial response in emergencies. Hangar serves as SAR base for meetings, training, and equipment storage. Provides HEC capability for extracting rescuers or patients from inaccessible locations.
• Love QueenstownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal initiative empowering visitors to invest in protection and regeneration of the Queenstown environment. Heliworks facilitates guest contributions to conservation projects in the region.
• Whakatipu Reforestation TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in community planting days. Team members regularly join Love Queenstown and Trust initiatives to plant native trees and support landscape restoration.
• Bee The ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive sponsorship of a beehive in partnership with Bee The Change. Contribution supports building strong bee colonies and biodiversity. Sponsored hive located at Queenstown Botanical Gardens.
• Arrowtown ChoppersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Arrowtown Choppers for native tree planting initiatives. Heliworks provides helicopter transport for airlifting precious plants to remote planting sites.
• The Wild for Nature TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partnership for native tree planting initiatives. Heliworks provides essential helicopter transport for lifting VIP native plants to new growing sites.
• Uplift in KindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe only Queenstown-based helicopter operator involved in this initiative that creates unforgettable experiences for children and families facing tough times. Provides scenic flights to uplift spirits.
• Queenstown Convention BureaucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for attracting conference and incentive groups to the region. Collaborates on corporate events and group adventures combining helicopter experiences with other Queenstown operators.
• Dart River AdventuresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdventure tourism partner for combined experiences. Worked together for Queenstown Convention Bureau events offering both helicopter and jet boat experiences.
• 15+ Wedding Planners (Stoneridge Estate, Wildy Romantic, Boutique Weddings NZ, Simply Perfect, Mountain Weddings, Sunshine Weddings, Holly & Co, The Lovers Elopement Co., Elopements Queenstown, Shaken and Stirred, New Zealand Dream Weddings, Lost in Love, Heli Weddings NZ, Nomad Weddings, The Wild Beyond, Wonder Weddings)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive network of wedding planner partners who recommend Heliworks for helicopter wedding services. Listed on wedding venues and services pages as preferred providers.
• 6+ Wedding Celebrants (Phillipa Cook, Sarah Noble, Philippa Thomas, Andrew Bell, Emily O'Leary, Tracey MacLaren)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal celebrant network who work with couples booking helicopter weddings. Coordinated through the wedding services page.
• 10+ Wedding Photographers (Alpine Image Company, Carla Mitchell, Fallon Photography, Rich Bayley, Williams Photography, Felix Images, Kate Craig Brown, Susan Miller, Dawn Thomson, Miles Holden)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred photographer network for capturing helicopter wedding moments. Coordinated through the wedding services page.
• 8+ Wedding Venues (Mount Nicholas Station, Winehouse, Peregrine Winery, NZ High Country, Moke Lake, Ben Lomond Station, Mount Soho Winery, Millbrook Resort)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partners where helicopters can land for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Listed as locations accessible by helicopter.
• Travel Agents, Inbound Operators, and WholesalerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrade partners who sell Heliworks experiences to international visitors. Dedicated Trade page and partnership program for industry professionals.
• Tiaki PromiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdoption of the Tiaki Promise values - care for New Zealand's environment, people, and culture. Guides sustainable flight practices and environmental protection.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Over The Top Helicopters: Queenstown-based helicopter operator offering scenic flights and private charters in the Southern Alps region. Direct competitor for premium tourist experiences and bespoke private charters.
• Heli Glenorchy: Sister company to Heliworks sharing exclusive Earnslaw Burn landing rights. Operates from Glenorchy with overlapping scenic flight products and customer segments, though technically a partner rather than pure competitor.
• Glacier Helicopters: Major Queenstown-based helicopter tourism operator offering scenic flights, glacier landings, and snow landings over the same Southern Lakes/Fiordland region. Direct competitor for the same tourist customer base with overlapping product set.
• Alpine Helicopters: New Zealand helicopter operator with services spanning scenic tourism, commercial lifting, and agricultural work across the South Island. Comparable business model combining tourism with commercial helicopter services.
• Southern Lakes Helicopters: Queenstown-area helicopter operator providing scenic flights, private charters, and commercial services across the Southern Lakes region. Competes directly for tourist bookings and corporate charter work.
• The Helicopter Line: One of New Zealand's largest helicopter tourism operators with bases in Queenstown, Franz Josef, and Mt Cook. Offers comparable scenic flights, glacier landings, and snow landings targeting the same international visitor market.
• Air Milford: Queenstown-based helicopter operator specializing in Milford Sound scenic flights and Fiordland tours. Direct overlap with Heliworks' Milford Sound Explorer and Fiordland's Finest products.

Broad incumbents

• Inflite Charters: Major New Zealand helicopter services company operating scenic tourism, charter, and commercial services nationally. Broader portfolio across multiple regions makes it a larger incumbent with overlapping capabilities.
• New Zealand Helicopters (formerly Helicopter Services): Long-established NZ helicopter operator providing commercial services including firefighting, lifting, and tourism. Comparable commercial capabilities but operates with broader geographic and service scope.

Others

• CHC Helicopter: Global helicopter operator with NZ operations providing offshore crew transfer, SAR, and emergency services. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but comparable in regulatory expertise and commercial helicopter capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFqS3Z8QQxSjiAPQIYGEZng
• Facebookfacebook.com/HeliworksQueenstown
• Instagraminstagram.com/heliworks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heliworks-queenstown

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 HELIWORKS LTD