Aroha Helicopters is a local family-owned and operated helicopter company based in Napier airport in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

We provide helicopter scenic flights, charters and flight training all based out of Napier airport the gateway to the fruit bowl of New Zealand.

Maori culture is an integral part of everything in Aotearoa, New Zealand and here at Aroha Helicopters we pride ourselves in embracing everything Aotearoa. From our name Aroha (Love) as we Love Helicopters and sharing our love and passion with as many people as possible from all around Aotearoa and the rest of the world.

Meet the team

CEO, Chief Pilot, Skiv Devescovi

Skiv has been flying helicopters for more than twenty years having clocked up over 6,000 hours in that time. Having flown over 14 helicopter types ranging from two seat trainers to 12 seat twin engine helicopters all over the world, he has a fair few stories to tell of.

He has filled in numerous roles over the course of his career, in leadership positions, aircraft crewing and in instructing roles, across a variety of mission types, both military and civilian, making him a highly skilled, qualified and knowledgeable pilot and instructor, just the man you’d want to learn from.

Training Manager, Pilot, Shaun Walters

Shaun grew up in Gisborne, on the East Coast of the North Island with a life long goal of flying helicopters.

He spent 16 years in the RNZAF, starting as a diesel mechanic and changing to Helicopter Crewman in 2005. Having spent a few years crewing the UH-1D Iroquois (or Huey) he spent the last 2 years of his military career on the NH-90.

Outside the military he has been a senior crewman on the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter.

Shaun is reasonably well travelled, having lived in Australia and Canada, and visited the UK, Germany, Vietnam, Singapore and the United States. He’s also been on deployments to East Timor and the Solomon Islands and well as numerous exercises in the Pacific Islands.

When not involved in aviation, he is usually playing with old cars or motorcycles, hot rods, custom and muscle cars.

Safety Management System

Aroha Helicopters is an accredited CAA NZ Part 135, 141 SMS accredited operator, with safety being our number one priority, our processes are designed to meet and exceed industry standard and worksafe compliance practices, whilst still being able to provide an exceptional professional, friendly and reliable service.