Consultation open
We are proposing granting new commercial paragliding licenses in the Port Hills and would like to hear your feedback on the proposed sites.
People have been paragliding on the Port Hills for around 35 years. Commercial licences were introduced in 2020 as a trial, and are due to expire in early 2026.
There are three new five-year licences with a right to renew for another five.
Paragliding is regulated nationally by the New Zealand Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (NZHGPA), and locally with the Canterbury Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club (CHGPC). Commercial tandem flying is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). All operators are required to be registered and current with the governing bodies, including meeting all health and safety requirements.
Our ecologist has reviewed the proposed sites and has determined that paragliding will not impact on existing bird colonies or refuges and will have minimal impact on the ecology of the sites.
When a paraglider is landing in a community park, priority is always given to booked sporting events and paragliding operators will not land unless in the case of an emergency.
The hours of operation included in the licences are 1 October to 31 March 8:30am-9:00pm and 1 April - 31 September 8:30am-5:30pm.Sites proposed
- Orange: ground training only
- Blue: take-off site
- Red: landing site
Please note there is one site close to Little River. Please zoom-out using the scroll wheel or pinching on mobile.
There is no landing site related to this launch because paragliders currently land on private property.
- Windsports Park (43° 32′ 54.8″ S, 172° 42′ 15.5″ E)
- Taylors Mistake- One (43° 35′ 9.0″ S, 172° 45′ 57.0″ E)
- Taylors Mistake- Two (43° 35′ 29.0″ S, 172° 45′ 52.2″ E)
- Wheatley (43° 35′ 32.5″ S, 172° 46′ 35.8″ E)
- Punk Rock launch (43°34'48.4"S 172°44'43.9"E)
- Mt Pleasant Towers (43°35'16.3"S 172°43'31.5"E)
- John Britten Reserve (43° 34′ 58.6″ S, 172° 43′ 30.3″ E)
- Barnett Park Launch 1 (43° 35′ 18.3″ S, 172° 43′ 38.6″ E)
- Barnett Park Launch 2 (43°35'19.3"S 172°43'44.7"E)
- Barnett Park north face launch (43° 35′ 0.6″ S, 172° 44′ 8.8″ E)
- Mt Cavendish Scenic Reserve (43°35'19.6"S 172°43'02.3"E)
- Upper Cass (43° 35′ 38.8″ S, 172° 42′ 9.3″ E)
- Allandale (43° 38′ 36.9″ S, 172° 37′ 28.6″ E)
- Allandale Launch 2 (43°38'32.2"S 172°37'27.9"E)
- Te Oka Reserve (Little River) (43°48'59.9"S 172°47'59.4"E)
- Naval Point (43° 36′ 33.9″ S, 172° 42′ 30.3″ E)
- Taylors Mistake (43° 35′ 7.1″ S, 172° 46′ 28.3″ E)
- Cave Rock (43° 33′ 58.1″ S, 172° 45′ 32.3″ E)
- Barnett Park (43° 33′ 57.5″ S, 172° 44′ 21.8″ E)
- Heathcote Domain (43° 34′ 49.7″ S, 172° 42′ 27.2″ E)
- Ferrymead Park (43° 34′ 3.1″ S, 172° 42′ 25.3″ E)
- Punk Rock Landing (43°34'48.4"S 172°45'17.9"E)
- Allandale Domain (43°38'30.0"S 172°39'02.9"E)
