Aviation News – Two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters have completed a record-breaking over-water flight, marking the longest self-deployment journey for the aircraft.
The helicopters travelled from Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley to RNZAF Base Auckland, covering 1,534 nautical miles (2,840km) over two days, with stops in Rockhampton, Coffs Harbour, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Both aircraft landed safely at RNZAF Base Ohakea on September 30, after participating in major regional exercises and celebrations abroad.
The journey set a new benchmark for the RNZAF NH90 fleet, surpassing the previous record of 453 nautical miles flown across the Coral Sea Basin last month. The longest stretch of the latest flight—573 nautical miles between Norfolk and Auckland—took four and a half hours, roughly the same distance as flying between Auckland and Samoa.
Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Andy Scott, said the achievement underscored the NH90’s operational flexibility. “These types of flights give our crews confidence in the system. This demonstrates that given sound planning and an understanding of the actual risk, we don’t have to shy away from activities which stretch the system when they are properly planned for, risks mitigated and robust procedures are in place.”
The milestone highlights the NH90’s role in strengthening regional mobility and self-deployment capacity, ensuring New Zealand remains prepared for both humanitarian operations and military commitments across the Pacific. It also reflects the RNZAF’s growing emphasis on interoperability following recent involvement in Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia and Papua New Guinea’s 50th independence anniversary.
The record-breaking return demonstrates the NH90’s long-range capability and the RNZAF’s readiness to operate across vast distances, reaffirming New Zealand’s air mobility reach in the Pacific.