Kia Ora,
Meet the Aroha Team

Aroha means love.
We love helicopters, and sharing our passion for them with as many people as possible from all around Aotearoa New Zealand, and the rest of the world.

At Aroha Helicopters, we take pride in our team of exceptionally skilled and experienced pilots who bring their unrivalled expertise and passion for aviation to every flight.

Skiv and Shaun, two of our most trusted and revered pilots, have a combined experience of over 30 years’ in the aviation industry.
They have flown countless hours and have mastered the art of manoeuvring helicopters with finesse and precision. Skiv and Shaun’s unwavering commitment to safety, attention to detail, and deep knowledge of the local terrain make them invaluable.

  • Skiv Devescovi

    Skiv Devescovi

    CEO, CHIEF PILOT

    Skiv has been flying helicopters for more than twenty years, and has clocked up over 6,000 hours in that time. Having flown over 14 helicopter models, ranging from two seat trainers to 12 seat twin engine helicopters all over the world, he has a fair few stories to tell.

    He has taken on numerous roles over the course of his career; leadership positions, aircraft crewing, and instructing roles across a variety of mission types, both military and civilian. Skiv is an highly skilled, qualified and knowledgeable pilot and instructor. Just the man you’d want to learn from!

  • Shaun Walters

    Shaun Walters

    TRAINING MANAGER, INSTRUCTOR

    Shaun grew up in Gisborne, on the East Coast of the North Island, with a lifelong goal of flying helicopters. He spent 16 years in the RNZAF, starting as a diesel mechanic and changing to Helicopter Crewman in 2005. Having spent a few years crewing the UH-1D Iroquois (or Huey) he spent the last 2 years of his military career on the NH-90. Outside the military he has been a senior crewman on the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter.

    Shaun is reasonably well travelled, having lived in Australia and Canada, and visited the UK, Germany, Vietnam, Singapore and the United States. He’s also been on deployments to East Timor and the Solomon Islands, and well as numerous exercises in the Pacific Islands.

    When not involved in aviation, he is usually playing with old cars or motorcycles; hot rods, custom and muscle cars.