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Catavento

Sample coverage. New Zealand is included as an early sample, so information here is incomplete. Tell us what's missing.

Visiting pilots

Visiting New Zealand to fly? Here's how to fly here, and who to talk to.

Sites on the map

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All sites, with their wind directions and who looks after them

Membership

NZHGPA membership (or a visitor membership) is required to fly in New Zealand.

NZHGPA's page for visiting pilots (opens in a new tab)How to join (opens in a new tab)

Before you fly

  • NZHGPA membership, which includes public liability insurance, is required by law to fly. Visiting pilot membership suits stays under 4 months.
  • Accepted qualifications include an IPPI card at level 4 or above with a current national licence. You must also pass an online VFR exam.
  • Some sites need a site induction or permit first.

A short summary, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the current requirements with New Zealand Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (NZHGPA) before you fly. Summary checked 16 Oct 2026.

New Zealand Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (NZHGPA): current rules for visiting pilots (opens in a new tab)

Finding local knowledge

  • NZHGPA advises checking with local pilots through a club or school before flying a new site. Many site names and locations are deliberately not published.

Checked 16 Oct 2026. Sources: source 1 (opens in a new tab) · source 2 (opens in a new tab) · source 3 (opens in a new tab)

Help on the ground

Businesses whose own websites say they help visiting pilots. It's worth contacting them before you go. These lists are indicative, not complete. We add more as we find them, so there are likely others not listed here.

On offer here: Site briefings (1)

Flying tours here

Organised trips for qualified pilots, as each operator describes them. These lists are indicative, not complete. We add more as we find them, so there are likely others not listed here.

Talk to the local club

Each site is looked after by a club or another body. Contact them before your first flight at any site for site rules, protocols and hazards.

Find a club

Find sites

Every site we know of, with its published wind range and who to contact.

Browse sites

Ratings

NZ ratings as published by NZHGPA (for example Hang 2 Novice, Hang 3 Intermediate; sites rated Beginner to Advanced).

Weather and forecasts

Each site page shows a 3-day wind outlook and links to forecast services. Save sites to My Sites to see them together.