Updated by the data entry person of the NZ PG flights database, Tim Percival.
Last updated 1 August 2023.
NZ site records are kept for different sites/site groups, where a ‘site group’ is one or more different take-off points grouped together because of their proximity, and/or because a launch point is obscure enough such that it does not warrant a separate stand-alone listing. And to be listed as site in its own right, generally a site must meet a “2+2 rule”, which is that the take-off has been used by 2 or more persons on the same day, on 2 or more days. It’s reasoned that if a take-off passes that test, then it must be a place worth flying from, and thus deserves to be listed as a ‘paragliding site’.
How the list below differs from the NZ site records list, is that here the longest flights from the ‘whole caboodle’ of take-off points that are recorded in the NZ PG flight database are detailed. Each take-off point of a site/site group gets an entry in this table, as do take-off points that are on record as having been used only by one person and/or on only one occasion. Happy browsing :)
Region |
Take-off |
Distance |
Pilot |
Date |
Site/Site Group |
Northland |
Kamo |
38.5 |
Gary Sands |
31/08/2005 |
Kamo |
Northland |
Tiwakawaka |
50.2 |
Mike Ferguson |
03/03/2019 |
Tiwakawaka |
Auckland |
Bridges |
67.1 |
Grant Middendorf |
28/08/2004 |
Bridges |
Auckland |
Dills Hill |
77.0 |
Leighton Joll |
06/03/2019 |
Dills Hill |
Auckland |
Five Fingers |
40.0 |
Jeff Ripley |
26/10/2006 |
Five Fingers |
Auckland |
Moirs Hill |
98.2 |
Jeff Ripley |
15/03/2020 |
Moirs Hill |
Auckland |
Pakiri Hill |
24.5 |
Lukas Walton-Keim |
31/01/2017 |
Pakiri Hill |
Auckland |
Puketutu |
64.2 |
Jeff Ripley |
21/11/2008 |
Puketutu |
Waikato |
Alans Hill |
67.4 |
Bruce Vickerman |
18/03/2014 |
Alans Hill |
Waikato |
Harrys Hill |
26.2 |
Bruce Vickerman |
13/12/2013 |
Harrys Hill |
Waikato |
Kaimai |
97.7 |
Mark Macdonald |
31/01/2021 |
Kaimai Range |
Waikato |
Mt Te Aroha |
43.0 |
Derek Watts |
18/09/1995 |
Kaimai Range |
Waikato |
Pukemore |
68.9 |
Jeff Ripley |
08/11/2008 |
Pukemore |
Waikato |
Puriri Hill |
17.5 |
Bruce Vickerman |
25/10/2014 |
Puriri Hill |
Waikato |
Maungakawa |
32.4 |
Bruce Vickerman |
15/02/2014 |
Te Hoe – Maungakawa |
Waikato |
Pukeitionga |
30.3 |
Rob Gillard |
31/10/2015 |
Te Hoe – Maungakawa |
Waikato |
Te Hoe |
65.4 |
Grant Middendorf |
01/02/2003 |
Te Hoe – Maungakawa |
Waikato |
Awakino Hill |
71.5 |
Russell Read |
01/03/2001 |
Te Kuiti |
Waikato |
Hospital Hill |
40.8 |
Mark Macdonald |
28/12/2018 |
Waihi |
Waikato |
Mt Misery |
55.9 |
Bruce Vickerman |
15/01/2015 |
Waihi |
Bay of Plenty |
Black Rocks |
32.4 |
Bruce Vickerman |
14/02/2007 |
Komata |
Bay of Plenty |
Komata Reef |
16.2 |
Ken Jackson |
20/11/2005 |
Komata |
Bay of Plenty |
Matawai |
21.3 |
Russell Read |
21/01/2002 |
Matawai |
Bay of Plenty |
Mt Edgecumbe |
21.0 |
Russell Read |
30/11/1996 |
Mt Edgecumbe |
Bay of Plenty |
Hickeys Bluff |
9.0 |
Wayne Rohrs |
12/03/2016 |
Paeroa |
Bay of Plenty |
Paeroa |
78.0 |
Shaun Gilbert |
10/03/2015 |
Paeroa |
Bay of Plenty |
Whakaahu |
44.6 |
Bruce Vickerman |
28/08/2006 |
Whakaahu |
Hawkes Bay |
Burma Road |
84.5 |
Shaun Gilbert |
04/03/1998 |
Burma Road |
Hawkes Bay |
Goat Shed Basin |
50.8 |
Shaun Gilbert |
01/01/2018 |
Kaokaoroa Range |
Hawkes Bay |
Sunrise |
34.5 |
Aaron Chesterman |
22/10/2022 |
Sunrise |
Hawkes Bay |
Alligator Tower |
67.6 |
Shaun Gilbert |
18/01/1995 |
Te Mata Peak |
Hawkes Bay |
Mt Erin |
31.2 |
Shaun Gilbert |
20/12/2015 |
Te Mata Peak |
Hawkes Bay |
Te Mata Peak |
125.0 |
Shaun Gilbert |
10/01/1999 |
Te Mata Peak |
Hawkes Bay |
Turiri |
94.0 |
Shaun Gilbert |
20/03/2015 |
Turiri |
Hawkes Bay |
Zolas |
35.1 |
Craig Collings |
06/02/1997 |
Zolas |
Manawatu |
Heights Road |
29.0 |
Laurie Ross |
22/02/2003 |
Heights Road |
Wairarapa |
Bennetts Hill |
14.8 |
Mick Kennish |
06/02/2014 |
Bennetts Hill |
Wairarapa |
Dalefield Road |
52.1 |
Stepan Kubecek |
04/02/2018 |
Dalefield Road |
Wairarapa |
Kourarau |
47.8 |
Mick Kennish |
03/04/2015 |
Kourarau |
Wairarapa |
Oyster Shell |
40.0 |
Gary Steele |
01/11/1997 |
Oyster Shell |
Wellington |
Mt Climie |
49.5 |
Gary Steele |
04/01/1997 |
Mt Climie |
Wellington |
Waikanae Hill |
29.0 |
Russell Read |
31/03/1999 |
Waikanae |
Nelson |
Barnicoat |
127.2 |
Stew Karstens |
17/02/2022 |
Barnicoat Range |
Nelson |
Champion Road |
21.0 |
Stew Karstens |
27/09/1996 |
Barnicoat Range |
Nelson |
Fringed Hill |
28.5 |
Mike McManaway |
04/11/1996 |
Barnicoat Range |
Nelson |
Inwoods Lookout |
116.3 |
Tim Percival |
30/12/2002 |
Inwoods Lookout |
Nelson |
Marybank |
44.5 |
Richard Hadfield |
15/10/2003 |
Marybank |
Nelson |
Mt Murchison |
101.8 |
Rob Hughes-Games |
15/02/2020 |
Mt Murchison |
Nelson |
Sherry River |
39.5 |
Bryan Moore |
10/01/1995 |
Sherry River |
Nelson |
Mt Robert |
91.7 |
Tim Percival |
20/02/2015 |
St Arnaud |
Nelson |
Parachute Rocks |
100.4 |
Tim Percival |
11/02/2015 |
St Arnaud |
Nelson |
Rainbow Ski Field |
86.0 |
Tim Percival |
03/02/1999 |
St Arnaud |
Nelson |
Woolshed Spur |
55.1 |
Tim Percival |
25/02/2003 |
St Arnaud |
Nelson |
Brown Acre |
47.3 |
Robert van den Ham |
10/12/1997 |
Takaka – Riwaka |
Nelson |
Takaka Hill |
44.3 |
Bryan Moore |
15/01/1995 |
Takaka – Riwaka |
Nelson |
Tapawera |
34.7 |
Robert van den Ham |
22/02/1998 |
Tapawera |
Marlborough |
Benhopai |
25.0 |
Angus Tapper |
08/11/2000 |
Benhopai |
Marlborough |
Black Birch |
21.0 |
Andy Whyte |
28/01/1997 |
Black Birch |
Marlborough |
Blowhard |
110.2 |
Dean Straker |
02/11/2006 |
Blowhard |
Marlborough |
Canvastown |
30.3 |
Nick Taber |
01/11/2015 |
Canvastown |
Marlborough |
Footes Hill |
12.7 |
Nick Taber |
28/01/2014 |
Havelock |
Marlborough |
Havelock |
28.0 |
Russell Read |
04/03/2007 |
Havelock |
Marlborough |
Okiwi Bay 683 |
23.2 |
Pepijn Wyffels |
05/01/2017 |
Okiwi Bay |
Marlborough |
Collins Hill |
26.5 |
Dave Lochead |
02/02/1999 |
Picton |
Marlborough |
Mt Freeth |
24.0 |
Aidan Limbert |
06/01/2002 |
Picton |
Marlborough |
Port Underwood |
27.6 |
Russell Read |
24/01/2004 |
Port Underwood |
West Coast |
Denniston |
61.3 |
Bryan Moore |
26/12/2015 |
Denniston – Millerton |
West Coast |
Tainui Peak |
51.7 |
Petr Poboril |
08/02/2018 |
Taramakau Divide |
Canterbury |
Avalanche Peak |
90.6 |
Jean Brossard |
09/02/2017 |
Avalanche Peak |
Canterbury |
Ben Ohau Peak |
20.0 |
Bryan Moore |
06/12/2006 |
Ben Ohau Range |
Canterbury |
Bealey Spur |
55.3 |
Fraser Monteith |
22/09/2018 |
Black Range |
Canterbury |
Mt Burnett Slopes |
101.1 |
Nick Neynens |
30/12/2016 |
Burnett Range |
Canterbury |
Buscot Hill |
48.8 |
Rory Devine |
11/12/2012 |
Buscot Hill |
Canterbury |
Bridge Hill |
10.0 |
Mike McManaway |
01/10/1995 |
Craigieburn Range |
Canterbury |
Cheeseman |
105.1 |
Rob Hughes-Games |
11/11/2020 |
Craigieburn Range |
Canterbury |
Helicopter Hill |
46.5 |
Tim Percival |
22/10/2001 |
Craigieburn Range |
Canterbury |
Red Hill |
42.5 |
Tim Percival |
10/11/2000 |
Craigieburn Range |
Canterbury |
Tims Knob |
62.0 |
Craig Collings |
14/11/1998 |
Craigieburn Range |
Canterbury |
Ahuriri 1772 |
58.3 |
Glen Stevens |
07/02/2018 |
Dingle Burn-Ahuriri Divide |
Canterbury |
Memorial |
44.8 |
Gert van Maren |
19/12/2015 |
Hopkins Valley |
Canterbury |
Mt Studholme |
12.2 |
Rob Hughes-Games |
11/02/2017 |
Hunter Hills |
Canterbury |
Lewis Tops |
23.4 |
Tim Percival |
18/03/2001 |
Lewis Tops |
Canterbury |
Mt Faust |
69.2 |
Tim Percival |
24/02/2013 |
Libretto Range – Lewis |
Canterbury |
Little River |
29.0 |
Ross Johnstone |
30/11/1998 |
Little River |
Canterbury |
Irishman Stream |
112.4 |
Bryan Moore |
01/01/2016 |
Lower Dobson Valley |
Canterbury |
Mt Alexander |
14.0 |
Ross Johnstone |
30/12/1997 |
Mt Alexander |
Canterbury |
Ball Spur |
136.8 |
Bryan Moore |
09/02/2014 |
Mt Cook Range |
Canterbury |
Mt Hutt |
33.3 |
Nick Neynens |
07/12/2018 |
Mt Hutt |
Canterbury |
Mt Isobel |
42.0 |
Martin Thoma |
16/01/1997 |
Mt Isobel |
Canterbury |
Mt Potts |
143.8 |
Nick Neynens |
13/02/2015 |
Mt Potts |
Canterbury |
Ohau Ski Field |
60.0 |
Bryan Moore |
02/03/2001 |
Ohau Range |
Canterbury |
Kamilas Hill |
134.1 |
Nick Neynens |
11/02/2015 |
Opera Range |
Canterbury |
Castle Rock |
37.9 |
Ross Johnstone |
15/02/2003 |
Port Hills |
Canterbury |
Montgomery Spur |
18.5 |
Craig Collings |
21/11/1998 |
Port Hills |
Canterbury |
Mt Pleasant |
34.4 |
Glen Stevens |
15/10/2013 |
Port Hills |
Canterbury |
Taylors Mistake |
22.4 |
Steve O’Shaughnessy |
05/02/2003 |
Port Hills |
Canterbury |
Sealy Tarns |
157.3 |
Grant Middendorf |
03/01/2015 |
Sealy Range |
Canterbury |
Tekapo |
55.3 |
Bryan Moore |
08/02/2014 |
Tekapo |
Canterbury |
Foggy Peak |
16.6 |
Tim Percival |
20/09/1997 |
Torlesse Range |
Canterbury |
Torlesse 1842 |
20.5 |
Tim Percival |
12/09/1998 |
Torlesse Range |
Canterbury |
Wallace Peak |
19.5 |
Craig Collings |
19/10/1997 |
Wallace Peak |
Canterbury |
Woolshed Ridge |
100.2 |
Michal Talavasek |
08/02/2018 |
Woolshed Ridge |
Otago |
Barrier Range – South |
117.3 |
Nick Neynens |
19/12/2015 |
Barrier Range North Otago |
Otago |
Cairnmuir |
55.8 |
Michal Karnik |
11/12/2015 |
Cairnmuir |
Otago |
Cairnmuir Spur |
78.2 |
Dylan Vickerman |
30/10/2015 |
Cairnmuir |
Otago |
Clyde |
33.4 |
Rory Devine |
31/01/2016 |
Cairnmuir |
Otago |
Cardrona |
196.1 |
Bryan Moore |
05/01/2016 |
Cardrona |
Otago |
Brow Peak |
46.2 |
Louis Tapper |
18/11/2013 |
Coronet Peak |
Otago |
Coronet Peak |
174.5 |
Chris Connolly |
14/01/2022 |
Coronet Peak |
Otago |
Mt Soho |
55.2 |
Angus Tapper |
21/12/2001 |
Coronet Peak |
Otago |
Leaning Rock |
41.3 |
Grant Middendorf |
30/10/2005 |
Dunstan Mtns South |
Otago |
Earnslaw Burn |
85.4 |
Nick Neynens |
03/02/2018 |
Earnslaw Burn |
Otago |
Gertrude Saddle |
131.7 |
Bryan Moore |
28/12/2014 |
Gertrude Saddle |
Otago |
Mt Judah |
149.3 |
Nick Neynens |
23/02/2015 |
Glenorchy Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Mt Mcintosh |
27.4 |
Bradley Franks |
10/11/2018 |
Glenorchy Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Stair Peak |
182.7 |
Nick Neynens |
29/12/2016 |
Glenorchy Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Brewster Hut |
124.4 |
Rory Devine |
07/02/2019 |
Haast Pass |
Otago |
Mt Cross – Lindsay Peak |
44.5 |
Rory Devine |
14/03/2014 |
Haast Pass |
Otago |
Pipson Spur |
79.6 |
Bryan Moore |
10/03/2017 |
Haast Pass |
Otago |
Breast Hill |
55.0 |
Bryan Moore |
01/03/2001 |
Hawea Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Dingle Burn |
45.1 |
Martin Kraemer |
01/01/2016 |
Hawea Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Grandview |
50.0 |
Quentin Smith |
06/02/2007 |
Hawea Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Lake Hawea East 1410 |
47.5 |
Michal Karnik |
01/12/2016 |
Hawea Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Little Breast Hill |
70.1 |
Nick Neynens |
14/02/2018 |
Hawea Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Pakituhi Spur |
114.1 |
Gert van Maren |
05/01/2016 |
Hawea Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Sugarloaf |
67.3 |
Robert van den Ham |
08/03/2013 |
Hawea Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Hawea Terrace |
23.9 |
Kat West |
15/11/2003 |
Hawea Terrace |
Otago |
Kowhai Creek |
166.6 |
Nick Neynens |
27/01/2018 |
Humboldt Mountains South |
Otago |
Mill Creek |
191.3 |
Nick Neynens |
05/01/2017 |
Humboldt Mountains South |
Otago |
Ahuriri Eyrie |
211.1 |
Nick Neynens |
25/12/2015 |
Huxley Range |
Otago |
Isthmus Peak |
49.1 |
Bryan Moore |
25/02/2019 |
Isthmus Peak |
Otago |
Lindis Pass |
33.3 |
Bryan Moore |
10/10/2014 |
Lindis Pass |
Otago |
Long Gully |
95.6 |
Russell Read |
07/02/2002 |
Long Gully |
Otago |
Rob Roy |
49.9 |
Bryan Moore |
09/03/2014 |
Matukituki |
Otago |
Sharks Tooth |
155.3 |
Nick Neynens |
19/01/2018 |
Matukituki |
Otago |
Shotover Saddle |
69.9 |
Nick Neynens |
13/11/2018 |
Matukituki |
Otago |
Kidds Bush |
93.9 |
Bryan Moore |
28/01/2018 |
McKerrow Range |
Otago |
Mt Alfred |
91.0 |
Dave Watson |
06/12/2017 |
Mt Alfred |
Otago |
Mt Awful |
35.3 |
Bryan Moore |
22/03/2014 |
Mt Awful |
Otago |
Mt Ida |
59.8 |
Mark Hardman |
10/03/2007 |
Mt Ida |
Otago |
Mt Iron |
54.4 |
Grant Middendorf |
06/01/2003 |
Mt Iron |
Otago |
Mt Maude |
122.1 |
Bryan Moore |
29/12/2016 |
Mt Maude |
Otago |
Obelisk |
43.5 |
Grant Middendorf |
13/11/2004 |
Old Man Range Otago |
Otago |
Mt Barker |
36.6 |
Bryan Moore |
30/12/2001 |
Pisa Range |
Otago |
Pukekowhai |
71.4 |
Glen Stevens |
23/12/2018 |
Pisa Range |
Otago |
Waiorau |
142.4 |
Grant Middendorf |
17/10/2005 |
Pisa Range |
Otago |
Remarkables |
81.6 |
Angus Tapper |
08/09/2004 |
Remarkables |
Otago |
Moke Lake |
150.9 |
Bryan Moore |
31/12/2015 |
Richardson Mountains |
Otago |
Moke Spurs-Ben More |
18.7 |
Nicolas Sand |
23/02/2019 |
Richardson Mountains |
Otago |
Moke Spurs-Speed Peak |
141.9 |
Kinga Masztalerz |
14/01/2022 |
Richardson Mountains |
Otago |
Sugarloaf Pass |
235.8 |
Nick Neynens |
05/01/2016 |
Routeburn |
Otago |
Hill End |
38.0 |
Bryan Moore |
06/01/2001 |
Roys Peak |
Otago |
Roys Peak |
91.6 |
Ben Kellett |
23/11/2018 |
Roys Peak |
Otago |
Bowen Peak |
34.0 |
Simon Nighy |
01/01/1994 |
Skyline |
Otago |
Skyline |
64.5 |
Angus Tapper |
17/10/1999 |
Skyline |
Otago |
St Bathans Range South |
38.2 |
Aaron Chesterman |
16/02/2019 |
St Bathans Range |
Otago |
Black Peak |
38.8 |
Bryan Moore |
08/12/2007 |
Treble Cone |
Otago |
Elevator Spur |
50.9 |
Rob Boyle |
18/12/2015 |
Treble Cone |
Otago |
Niger Peak |
18.2 |
Gert van Maren |
27/11/2005 |
Treble Cone |
Otago |
Treble Cone |
152.1 |
Bryan Moore |
07/12/2014 |
Treble Cone |
From July 2020, a national or site paragliding cross-country record claim must be accompanied by a pilot declaration. This means that the Paragliding Competition Committee (PCC) can no longer routinely ratify flights of the season from commonly-flown sites that have bettered an existing site record.
If you are reading this and you wish to have a flight of yours, flown from a rarely-visited take-off, ratified and recognised as a record for that take-off, then the onus is on you to submit your flight to the PCC for verification. See: Claiming a NZ Paragliding Cross-Country Record
The table below lists some of the NZ take-offs from which a flight has been recorded, but which to date do not have any PCC-verified flights.
Take Off |
Site/Site Group |
Region |
Te Aroha Winch Launch |
Te Aroha Winch Launch |
Waikato |
Billies Knob |
Billies Knob |
Nelson |
Birds Clearing |
Birds Clearing |
Nelson |
Flat Top |
Matakitaki |
Nelson |
Mt Bruce |
Black Range |
Canterbury |
Long Spur |
Craigieburn Range |
Canterbury |
Dingle-Ahuriri Pass |
Dingle Burn-Ahuriri Divide |
Canterbury |
Mt Jervois |
Opera Range |
Canterbury |
Shale Peak |
Organ Range |
Canterbury |
Sebastopol |
Sealy Range |
Canterbury |
Mt St Cuthbert |
St Cuthbert Range |
Canterbury |
St James 1781 |
St James Range North |
Canterbury |
Dobson Ski Field |
Two Thumb Range |
Canterbury |
Buchanans |
Buchanans |
Otago |
Mt Prospect |
Hawea Eastern Ranges |
Otago |
Hawkdun 1629 |
Hawkdun Range |
Otago |
Lowburn Tow Launch |
Lowburn Tow Launch |
Otago |
Boundary Spur |
McKerrow Range |
Otago |
Mt Shrimpton |
McKerrow Range |
Otago |
Omarama Saddle Ridge |
Omarama Saddle |
Otago |
Mt Pisa |
Pisa Range |
Otago |
Mt Crichton |
Richardson Mountains |
Otago |
Mt Hyde |
Shotover Ranges |
Otago |
Hummock Peak |
Eyre Mountains |
Southland |
Mid Dome |
Mid Dome |
Southland |