Our Mission
At Mackenzie Helicopters, we are committed to delivering extraordinary, unforgettable experiences that showcase the Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mackenzie Region, the West Coast, and beyond. Our passion for exceptional service ensures we exceed all expectations, creating cherished lifetime memories for our guests. We embrace Kaitiakitanga, embodying our promise to tomorrow through dedicated environmental stewardship.
Our Story
Mackenzie Helicopters is a family-owned and operated business, founded by local's Mark and Casey Pridham. With over a decade of flying experience, Mark's passion for the outdoors and discovering breathtaking places is at the heart of every journey. Together, they have built a team of highly-trained pilots who are not only experts in flying, but also share a deep knowledge and passion for the region, its people, and its unique experiences.
Our skilled team operates across all sectors of helicopter operations, from private charters and scenic tourism to backcountry adventures and essential commercial work like fire fighting and conservation. We are committed to sharing our love for this incredible region and creating unforgettable experiences, grounded in a vision of excellence and a dedication to showcasing the very best of New Zealand's South Island.
Our Fleet
Mackenzie Helicopters operates a modern and highly capable fleet that is ideal for both tourism and commercial operations. Our fleet includes the renowned AS350B2 Squirrel and the MD500 series – versatile helicopters that deliver superior performance, safety, and comfort for a variety of missions.
Our fleet reflects our commitment to safety, performance, and providing top-tier experiences for our clients, ensuring that whatever your needs may be—scenic flights, tourism, or heavy-duty commercial tasks—we have the right helicopter to get the job done.
Commitment to Conservation
At Mackenzie Helicopters, we are deeply committed to protecting the pristine environment of the Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mackenzie Regions. We believe in actively contributing to the long-term health of our unique local ecosystems, inviting our guests and partners to join this vital work through two key initiatives:
Partnership with Te Manahuna Aoraki: Protecting Native Species
We proudly partner with Te Manahuna Aoraki, a vital conservation project dedicated to protecting the ecosystems of the upper Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Their critical work focuses on controlling introduced predators that threaten our native wildlife. Guests have a unique, hands-on opportunity to fly into the National Park with us and actively participate by walking trap lines, directly contributing to the survival of endangered native species like the kea, kākāriki, and black stilt. Through this program, Mackenzie Helicopters and our guests actively preserve our local environment, ensuring it thrives for generations to come.
Buy and Fly Program: Plant a Living Legacy
As part of our commitment to a sustainable future, Mackenzie Helicopters plants a native tree for every bespoke flight. This allows every guest to directly contribute to local ecosystem restoration, creating a personal, living legacy. Guests receive yearly updates on their tree's performance, helping to support biodiversity, absorb carbon, and enhance habitats.
Fly with us and join our mission to create a greener future—one tree, one flight at a time.
Experience & Safety
At Mackenzie Helicopters, safety is our top priority. We are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our guests, employees, and the environment in every aspect of our operations.
Our team of skilled, highly-trained professional pilots possesses extensive experience navigating the challenging alpine terrain. Their expertise spans various sectors, from tourism to agriculture and commercial operations.
Mackenzie Helicopters holds both a Civil Aviation Part 135 Air Transport certificate and a CAA Part 137 Agricultural Operators certificate, demonstrating our commitment to regulatory compliance. Our fleet of helicopters undergoes regular maintenance by licensed aircraft engineers, ensuring they are always in top condition.
We prioritise safety above all else and operate under a CAA-approved Safety Management System (SMS). This system incorporates international best practices and risk management guidelines to protect our pilots, passengers, and staff.
