About us

Coromandel Helicopters is owned and operated by Shamus Howard and Karen Deasy, highly regarded and known for their high operational standards, flying skills and professionalism. Coromandel Helicopters was founded in 2007, based at Whitianga in the heart of the breath taking unique Coromandel Peninsula.

With over 25 years in the industry under our belt, we look to ensure every experience you have with us is of the highest standard in safety, quality, and customer service. We have wide experience operating many different types of aircraft in a variety of roles, and should you require a different helicopter for any particular reason we will not only source the aircraft but fly it for you maintaining that personal contact. Coromandel Helicopters will access these other aircraft via strategic partnerships with New Zealand's leading aviation companies.

Personal Profile

Shamus Howard, Director, flight Instructor/Examiner

Shamus has 23 years experience in the NZ helicopter industry with 6000 hours of flight time. Shamus has flown throughout New Zealand and Australia. A former alpine helicopter pilot, specializing in wild animal operations, he went on to form his own helicopter company in 1988 ‘Heli Sika’ which still thrives today as the leading hunting and fishing outfitter in New Zealand. In the late 90’s he flew AS350 and Bell 222 a/c on SAR and EMS work for 5 years until 2001 and has been contract flying since then on BK117 fire fighting, logging in Bell 205s, advanced flight training and as an Airline Flight Examiner.

Karen Deasy, Director, Pilot

Karen has 5 years experience in the NZ Helicopter industry initially in marketing and as ground crew (Fire fighting, Agricultural ops and general lifting), now with 500 hours helicopter flight time; Karen runs the Coromandel Operation. Karen emigrated from Ireland in 2003 and is now a New Zealand citizen, well settled in the Coromandel Peninsula. A mad keen scuba diver and if you can’t get her on the phone she’s either flying or catching crayfish with Shamus. Karen flies a wide variety of missions in the R44 and is also type rated on R22, Hughes 300 and 500, AS350, UH-1H and BK117. She has completed an approved Robinson Safety Course with Tim Tucker, a Civil Aviation Authority Senior Persons Workshop and Australian Fire Crew Training.

Our service

Coromandel Helicopters offers an extensive range of professional helicopter services from scenic flights, tailored scenic tours, charters, heli biking, heli free diving, hunting and fishing safaris, through to long line lifting ops. We will be pleased to assist in the design of your tailored itinerary. Our professionally trained pilots have specific experience flying in New Zealand's alpine environments, specialize in high quality, informative scenic flights that are very personal and enjoyable and all of our crew are qualified to ensure your safety both in the air and on the ground. We are the only helicopter company based north of Thames on the West Coast or anywhere on the Eastern Coromandel. Our principals have had a holiday home up in this beautiful part of the world for 15 years and are passionate about the local area.

We specialize in the transport and care of people for their recreation and business transport needs, as opposed to commercial/agricultural operators who might fly just a few passengers. We have an excellent relationship with the Dept of Conservation who permit us to land at exclusive concession sites and have similar relationships with private land owners and the local iwi Ngati Hei.

Your pilot and guide will open a new world of breathtaking beauty and scenery, from to idyllic white & pink sandy beaches, mountain rivers and waterfalls in the depths of the rainforests and stunning coastal Island views.

We offer a multitude of exclusive activities created specifically for your needs. Fish from our exclusive location on Whale Rock, one of the Mercury Islands in the morning, picnic on a mountain top at midday and dine on the finest cuisine at a prestigious lodge of your choice in the evening and end the perfect day by staying the night on an Island, to wake to another amazing sun rise.

Our professional team is dedicated to ensuring you experience the best with Coromandel Helicopters...

Customer Safety

A CAA licensed part135 operator Aerius Ltd, that is financially secure and aircraft owners that are proactive in maintenance planning and quality improvement. Coromandel Helicopters Limited operate under strict procedures developed for every type of helicopter task we perform. These procedures are all documented in Aerius’s Operations Manual.

All passengers will receive a clear briefing on basic helicopter safety and location of emergency equipment specific to the type of flight experience that you have chosen.

A very experienced Chief Pilot on the job.

Extensive staff training with many hours spent on the specific roles and varied landing sites

Any clients flown to remote locations are provided with a GPS satellite emergency beacon on the 406 network, particularly for our offshore rock fishing sites.

An independent Quality Auditor (Sitewise) approved by CAA and paid by us to provide quarterly reports. This ensures that all potential hazards and problems are identified and rectified.

One million NZ dollars public liability insurance.

An excellent base on a licensed airfield. Pilots have undergone specialized HUET training to be better able to care for their passengers in the highly unlikely case of an accident over the ocean.

Two pilots who’s livelihood and reputation are dependant on how well they look after their clients and their aircraft.