The First Mail Carried By Helicopter in New Zealand

[Dave Homewood]

I think it is well known who carried the first mail by air in New Zealand, Will Scotland in his Caudron in 1915 if I recall rightly. But I was not aware of the first mail carried by helicopter till now. This from The Press on the 13th of January 1955.

First Letters by Helicopter

One of the first letters carried by helicopter in New Zealand—from the icebreaker Atka to Taieri aerodrome on Saturday—reached. Wellington this week. Addressed to the secretary of the New Zealand Antarctic Society (Mr A. S. Helm), it was from the ‘‘New York Times” correspondent, Mr Walter Sullivan, reporter with the expedition. ‘‘This is just a word of thanks for all you did to make our stay pleasant,” said Mr Sullivan. ‘‘The hospitality of New Zealand is world famous, but it exceeded even my high expectations. You know we all wish you the best of good fortune in your projects and plans for the lands in the South. I hope we will meet again before too long—perhaps in Antarctica.”

[errolmartyn]

"I think it is well known who carried the first mail by air in New Zealand, Will Scotland in his Caudron in 1915 if I recall rightly."
The year was 1914. Not an official mail but by prior arrangement a package thrown from the Caudron for collection below on the ground at Temuka, on 6 March 1914. See page 44 of E. F. Harvie's 'Venture the Far Horizon' for details.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Errol. I should have looked it up rather than try using my memory.