Tourism venture flies high on Hole in the Rock

Tourists will soon be landing on the top of Motukokako Island (also known as Hole in the Rock or Piercy Island) in a brave new business venture launched on Sunday by the Motukokako Ahu Whenua Trust and Paihia helicopter firm, Salt Air.

The trust's roughly 600 shareholders hope the venture, which will see choppers landing on a helipad built by volunteer labour next to a 500-foot (150m) cliff with stunning views of Cape Brett and the Bay of Islands, will bring much needed income and eventually also jobs.