Photo: RNZTwo people who died in a helicopter crash near Wellington were pest control contractors working on Transmission Gully. Both the pilot and passenger died in the crash near Paekākāriki Hill on yesterday morning. The New Zealand Transport Agency this afternoon confirmed the duo were pest control contractors and WorkSafe had been notified. Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins said earlier today that a significant recovery operation took place to recover the victims from the crash site. A witness, who was first to reach the crash, said he was checking a body for vital signs as the Westpac rescue chopper arrived.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 29, 2026 01:49 UTC