Tragedy in the Skies: Victims of Paekākāriki Helicopter Crash Identified as Pest Control Contractors
By Lions Roar Aotearoa Safety & Incident Desk
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (Thursday, January 29, 2026) — The two individuals who tragically lost their lives in yesterday’s helicopter crash near Paekākāriki Hill have been confirmed as contractors performing pest control work for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday morning, involved a pilot and one passenger. Authorities have spent the last 24 hours conducting a complex recovery operation on the steep, scrub-covered terrain near the Transmission Gully motorway.
🚁 The Mission: Pest Control for Transmission Gully
The NZ Transport Agency confirmed today that the crew was engaged in goat culling and general pest control operations in the rugged hill country surrounding the motorway.
- The Recovery: Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins stated that a “significant recovery operation” was required to retrieve the victims due to the difficult terrain.
- Support Provided: Waka Kotahi is currently providing support services to the families and colleagues of the contractors involved.
- Identities: While police have recovered the bodies, formal identification is still being finalized. “Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time,” Inspector Perkins added.
👁️ First Responder’s Chilling Account
A local witness was the first to reach the wreckage before emergency services arrived. His account paints a grim picture of the scene:
- Initial Search: The witness checked the first victim for vital signs but found no signs of life before the Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived.
- Secondary Discovery: The Westpac crew subsequently located a second body in thick scrub, some distance from the primary wreckage, indicating the force of the impact or a potential attempt to exit the craft.
⚖️ Investigations Underway
Multiple agencies are now scrutinizing the incident to determine why the aircraft went down in seemingly clear conditions.
- CAA Action: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination. The wreckage will likely be removed for further technical analysis.
- WorkSafe Notification: WorkSafe New Zealand has been officially notified and will conduct a parallel investigation into the health and safety protocols of the contracting operation.
- Scene Security: Cordons remain in place around the Battle Hill Farm Forest Park campground as police continue their forensic examination.
📊 Incident Summary: Paekākāriki Helicopter Crash
| Category | Details |
| Date & Time | Wednesday Morning, January 28, 2026 |
| Location | Near Paekākāriki Hill / Transmission Gully |
| Casualties | 2 (Pilot and Passenger) |
| Vessel Purpose | Aerial Pest Control (Goat Culling) |
| Lead Investigators | CAA, NZ Police, WorkSafe |
