Nelson visitors 29-06-2025

Bill Mannix captured these two visitors at Nelson this morning 29-06-2025.

PHI New Zealand Ltds Agusta AW139 ZK-HNO2 c/n 31156 flew IFR pretty much direct from New Plymouth to Nelson this morning. 

Then carried out a VIP flight around the weather beaten area, including Riwaka, Tapawera, almost to St Arnaud, Golden Downs, Wakefield and back to Nelson.

It then returned to New Plymouth.

This Agusta AW139 began as VH-NZF c/n 31156 from 06-01-2009 HNZ Cougar Helicopters Pty Ltd of Belmont, Western Australia on lease to Helicopters (NZ) Ltd.

It was entered onto the NZ register as ZK-HNO2 on 04-03-2011 with Helicopters (NZ) Ltd of Nelson. It followed the Company name change to Helicopters (NZ) Limited from 07-07-2011 and then HNZ New Zealand Limited from 30-10-2012. This in turn became PHI New Zealand Limited from 29-09-2020.

It carries the name 'Manupaatiki on its nose.

Also noted was the Search And Rescue Services Ltd Kawasaki BK117 SD2 ZK-IRU c/n 1101, also connected to the recent weather event. 

It flew into Nelson via the Outer Marlborough Sounds yesterday and did several local flights and departed back to Wellington today.

Of 1995 vintage and ex Japan as JA6743 it served time in Australia as VH-BKS6 from May of 2011.

It was imported into NZ in November 2012 for its current owner.

It still carries the 'Waikato - King Country' titles on the lower fuselage.