The pilot of a helicopter which crashed on Mahia Peninsula has sustained moderate injuries.
Emergency services were alerted to the accident at 6:26am on Wednesday by a member of the public and rushed to the remote rural scene in the Hawke's Bay off Mahia East Coast Rd.
According to the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ), the helicopter is a Robinson 44 with one occupant. It says the pilot "sustained moderate injuries" and is being taken by the Hastings Rescue Helicopter to Gisborne Hospital.
"RCCNZ received an alert from the aircraft’s distress beacon at 6am. The helicopter was undertaking agricultural work at the time it crashed.
"Thank you to Fire and Emergency NZ, NZ Police, St John’s Ambulance and the Hastings Rescue Helicopter for their efforts in responding to this incident."
The Civil Aviation Authority has been made aware of the crash
Earlier, police said the single occupant was "said to be uninjured".
Janie Bowen who works at Rocket Cafe in Mahia earlier told MagicTalk that she saw emergency services go past her establishment.
"It is a bit of a downer with two in 24 hours... it is very sobering for want of a better word."
The crash comes less than a day after two people were killed in a helicopter crash north of Kaikoura. Three others were seriously injured and are currently in Wellington Hospital. An investigation has been launched by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) into that crash.
Bowen knew a helicopter from Gisborne was scheduled to go up on Wednesday spraying.
"At the time of the reported accident, it was absolutely still and I thought 'what a perfect day to spray'. A bit of a wind has come up here. The leaves are moving but otherwise it is absolutely still."
Bowen said it is a small community.
"As a couple of the farmers said to me, it is someone we will know. We are just waiting to hear. The services were going out with a great deal of urgency."
Mahia Peninsula is a promontory projecting into the sea south of Gisborne and north of Napier. It is mostly lowland coastal forest with the Mahia East Coast Rd the only main road.
The peninsula is well-known as being the site of Rocket's Lab's Launch Complex 1. Overnight, Rocket Lab launched its 17th Electron mission from the Mahia Peninsula site.
Rocket Lab confirmed to Newshub the accident is unrelated to its activity and does not involve its team.
"Our people are safe. We are standing by to support those who may be affected in any way we can," Rocket Lab head of communications Morgan Bailey says.
