Wairoa Helicopters

Wairoa Helicopters is a family-run, locally owned and operated helicopter business serving Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. Founded by Corey and Leona Isherwood, the company focuses on delivering professional, timely and accurate services for agricultural and other operational needs. Its versatile Hughes 500 helicopter enables the team to undertake a varied range of work.

Services include agricultural spraying, fertiliser application, controlled burns, lifting, mustering and charters. Wairoa Helicopters works with clients across agriculture and forestry, as well as police and fire services, search and rescue, hunting and fishing, government departments, local councils and the general public. The business emphasises safety in the air and in the field, supported by ongoing team training and compliance.

Pilot Corey Isherwood developed an interest in agriculture while growing up on a Wairarapa farm. After earning his pilot licence in Australia in 2007 and gaining experience on several helicopter types, he returned to New Zealand in 2014 to obtain his agricultural rating. The couple established Wairoa Helicopters in 2020 and remain based in the district.