The world’s first self-piloted air taxi in Ngāi Tahu takiwā

The world’s first self-piloted air taxi in Ngāi Tahu takiwā

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu welcomes Zephyr Airworks unveiling the World’s first self-piloted electric air taxi.

As announced, testing has been undertaken in the Ngāi Tahu takiwā, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Papatipu Rūnanga look forward to working with Zephyr Airworks, to help capture and realise exciting opportunities for rangatahi (youth).

Lisa Tumahai, Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, says this new technology will be revolutionary for this generation, and for generations to come.

“Ngāi Tahu has a long history of innovation and the opportunity to participate and to contribute to this new technology aligns with our inter-generational focus,” says Lisa. “Ngāi Tahu, and all Māori, have a proud voyaging history and I see this technology as being revolutionary for whānau exploration and travel.”

Ngāi Tahu tradition talks of the Uruao waka, captained by the ancestor Rākaihautū, who used his toki (adze) Kā Pakitua to separate the earth from the sky, to voyage to new horizons, eventually making land in Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu (The South Island).

“We are looking to the future of transport and technology. We do this whilst maintaining our traditional values of kaitiakitanga, ensuring this is done safely and sustainably,” says Lisa. “Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the local Papatipu Rūnanga look forward to being involved and support the development of this initiative,” says Lisa.

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