Thread: Kaweka heli bookings....

Hi all
I've been tracking the numbers and since EKH stopped flying there has been a decrease of 31% in the number of parties flying in to the Kaweka FP over the last 12 months compared to the previous year. It seems that the cost to fly to the southern huts is getting beyond many hunters, and along with some other issues are voting with their feet. Last year (2022) there were 325 parties flown in to the park, compared to 469 for the previous year. That is a reduction of 144 parties mainly not hunting as some will be primarily fisherman, but still a huge reduction in hunting effort. Another element is that if we assume that there are 3 passengers on each flight (flights in the squirrel could have up to 5 passengers) and the DOC fee of $50 pp applies then DOC raked in at least $48,750 last year, and $70,350 for the previous year from hunters for doing next to nothing! I am hoping another provider will start flying from the southern end, however the process DOC insists on doesn't encourage new players.

Cheers
Ruger7mm