The family of the pilot who died in a fatal helicopter crash which killed seven people say the Government must step in and scrutinise the regulator more thoroughly.
The jagged icy crevasses of Fox Glacier marks the place where a squirrel helicopter crashed, killing pilot Mitch Gameren and six tourists in 2015.
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The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was aware of serious safety issues with the operator, but did nothing.
Paul Gameren's son Mitch was piloting the chopper when it crashed.
"It's blatantly obvious to a layman like myself that there are huge issues in the industry," Paul told Newshub.
"I definitely think there's a culture problem in the CAA."
- Do you know more? Email michaelmorrah@mediaworks.co.nz
Back in 2014, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) specifically warned the CAA to always make a finding when a safety issue was identified, but it didn't do that before the 2015 crash.
"I think the CAA recognises that it's overall performance of regulating the helicopter industry was not as tough as it should have been," Transport Minister Phil Twyford said.
The CAA has started a review to see if there are other unresolved safety issues, but Paul Gameren thinks a wider investigation is needed.
"Something has got to be done," he told Newshub.
It's been more than three years since that fateful day - and there's still no closure for those most closely linked to this tragedy.
Newshub.
