“The response demonstrated the strength of our interagency partnerships and the shared commitment to supporting one another and the community in difficult circumstances.”Rescue choppers searched in the Paekākāriki Hill area for the downed craft. Image / Flight RadarMP for Ōtaki and ex-Air Force helicopter pilot Tim Costley earlier told the Herald he was “really sad” to hear about the “tragic” crash. Costley said members of the public should respect the cordons in place at Battle Hill campground and people who work in the area. “Let’s keep the families first and foremost in our thoughts at this really sad time.”His experience as a pilot meant that once he found out about the crash, it sent his mind wandering. “You look out at the window at what the weather conditions are and then you think, ‘Well, what could have caused this?’”Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 02, 2026 08:37 UTC