Business North July / August 2021

| 65 By undertaking predator control in forests there is a greater range for Kiwi to wander and set up territories. FORESTRY Northland Wood Council - Hancock Forest Management For more than 25 years Skywork Helicopters has been providing commercial helicopter services regionally across Northland to the Waikato and Bay of Plenty in the South. Led by an experienced management team, Skywork’s services are diverse. “Our pilots perform everything from agricultural spraying and topdressing to precision lifting, ire ighting, power line stringing, aerial surveying, tourism and general charter,” says Miriam Stevenson, CEO. Skywork Helicopters is a family business, managed and operated by people who are passionate about the aviation industry, each contributing to the successful delivery of helicopter services provided to its customers. Skywork Helicopters was established in 1997 by Roger and Miriam Stevenson to o er a range of high precision piloting skills acquired frommore than 40 years in the aviation industry. Roger followed his father Neville into the industry, and now their son Greg, who shares Roger’s passion for lying, has been a Skywork Helicopters’ business manager and line pilot for more than 10 years. “Our mission is to continually excel in the provision of aerial solutions,” explains Miriam. “The utilisation of helicopters provides an e icient tool and therefore a cost-e ective option when shifting people or goods, particularly on diverse terrain and remote locations that varying projects require throughout New Zealand.” Skywork’s specialist agricultural work sector is the forestry industry, which has Diverse services on offer been the driver in Skywork developing its systems and e iciencies over the years. Continued emphasis is placed on the need to maintain the latest of technology and industry expertise to its forestry clients. Systems include technology and specialised plant to mitigate the impact on the environment and e iciencies to deliver a timely service to support and ensure other forestry activities can meet their deadlines. This requires well planned and organised pooling of resources by the Skywork Pilot/Manager to maximise work opportunities during favourable weather that is suited for these types of activities. “Northland can experience four seasons in one day due to the narrow land mass between coasts that such a coastal landscape presents.” Skywork Helicopters operate the French Airbus (previously brand name “Eurocopter”), Squirrel helicopters that possess robustness and capability that suit the diverse spectrum of job requirements presented. The company has developed its pro ile around compliance and has achieved much in this area. Working in a heavily regulated industry Skywork Helicopters adapts and abides its safety and environmental systems as regulations continue to change. “After 25 years of accident-free operation, Skywork Helicopters is the only helicopter company to have been awarded the prestigious New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority’s Aviation Safety Award of Excellence twice.”