Company Profile Garden City Helicopters was established in New Zealand by John Currie in 1983 at New Brighton Beach, East of Christchurch City. Its main functions were as a coastal rescue service and scenic flights around Banks Peninsular and city. This unique operation to this area, became very popular and with the expansion of tourism in Christchurch, it was decided to move the base close to Christchurch International Airport. The new base was officially opened as a Pilot Training School as well as a scenic flight, rescue and commercial operation, and has continued to grow in all areas of operation ever since.

Above: Operations Hangar at Christchurch Airport

Scenic Heliflights
Our current areas of operation include tourist flights, adventure trips including Heli jet boat, luncheon flights and charters catering for both local and international markets. More >>

Flight Training
We are an NZQA-approved private training establishment (pte). Our instructors are rated as some of the best in the country. We cater for both local and international students. More >>

Rescue Operations
For a number of years Garden City Helicopters Ltd has been providing a rescue operation in the South Island of New Zealand  through the formation of The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, and in conjunction with St John. This partnership is sponsored by Westpac Banking Corporation in Canterbury and on the West Coast by Solid Energy Coals of New Zealand. In September 1996 Garden City Helicopters expanded it's Air Ambulance/ Rescue Helicopter operation by establishing a dedicated helicopter at Nelson to provide the service for the Nelson and  Marlborough region, sponsored by the New Zealand Community Trust.

Garden City Helicopters also maintains and operates the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service - a fixed wing medical transfer service operating from Christchurch Airport. More >>

Commercial Operations

Private/Corporate and VIP Transportation       Power line inspection and survey  More>>         Filming (including live link television) More>>     Aerial photography More>>      Fire Fighting More>>         Construction work and Industrial Lifting More>>      Frost Protection       Search and Rescue More>>       HeliSkiing     Banner Towing       Event Co-ordination       Insurance Recovery Work     Marine Pilot Transfer

Garden City Helicopters is:        -  Certified Air Transport Helicopter             Company, Part 135/119        -  Certified Air Ambulance Operator        -  NZQA accredited        -  CAA Part 141 certified Training            Organisation    Members of        -  Ambulance New Zealand        -  Canterbury Employers Chamber           of Commerce        -  Canterbury Marketing        -  NZ Society of Air Rescue Trusts

Safety
Safety is the paramount consideration for all our operations. Over the past 23 years as commercial, EMS and tourist operators, Garden City Helicopters has had an enviable safety record. Our Chief Pilot, who is the appointed CAA Safety Counsellor, provides helicopter and safety programmes for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Garden City Helicopters is an approved CAA check and training organisation. It is approved to carry out CAA 135.607 checks for many of the helicopter operators in the South Island.

The vast experience of the pilots, regular training, familiarity of equipment and extensive and continual exposure to the extreme terrain covered by our network, ensure that our safety record is maintained. This is complemented with in-house aircraft maintenance and quality assurance programmes. Our helicopters are equipped with crew survival packs in the event of a weather- related overnight stay.