Central Lakes Blue Light, Central Otago Flying Club and the New Zealand Police helped 29 youngsters take to the skies above Central last Saturday (June 7).

The Take a Kid Flying Day (TAKF) is an annual event for young people aged eight to 15, geared towards those or who might not have had the opportunity to go inside an aeroplane before.

Central Lakes Blue Light committee member Marley Ferguson said the weather impacted the first date for TAKF 2025 and it was delayed by a week.

“The day went great, a bit chilly but the sun was shining and not too many clouds, which made for some great views of Alexandra and Clyde, as well as the snow on the hills around. 

“A few of the [youngsters] were nervous but the pilots were awesome and let them have a look and feel of the plane and that eased their minds – a couple of them were itching to go back up again.” 

Pictured are Central Lakes Blue Light committee members (from left) Marley Ferguson, youth aid officer James McDonald, Nathan Zimmerman and Jacinta Grant. PHOTO: Central Otago Flying Club Facebook

Comments on the evaluation form were supportive of the experience. One parent said it was a great opportunity to expose kids to other possibilities in life, with great friendly role models present.

Young people said they “liked seeing the two rivers go into one”, “seeing all the dials and what happens in the cockpit” and the having the chance to “face [their] fears”. 

Youngsters Fertia Taiulu (The Terrace School), Ashlyn Flynn (Grab the Reins) and Thomas Bruce (Alexandra Primary School) posed with their ride. PHOTO: Supplied

Each flight on Saturday went for approximately 20 minutes, and participants soaked up the views and the scenery above Central, taking off and landing at Alexandra Airport.

Families enjoyed a free cooked lunch throughout the day from the Alexandra Lions Club and got an opportunity to get photos with the Blue Light staff and police officers who attended.

Young people who went flying were from Goldfields Primary, Alexandra Primary School, The Terrace School, Cromwell Primary School, Puna Rangatahi and Grab the Reins. The youngest was seven and the oldest 15 years old, and four caregivers also enjoyed a flight.

Organisers thanked Central Otago Flying Club members Kurt Verduyn, Gary Wilson, David Burke and Russell Anderson for their time in taking the children up, along with sponsors Night 'n Day Alexandra and Clyde, and McLellan’s Plumbing and Heating. 

The planes on the tarmac at Alexandra Airport. PHOTO: Supplied 

 Blue Light is a charity that has been empowering New Zealand youth for over 40 years. 

As well as TAKF Central Lakes Blue Light delivers programmes in support of young people in Central including ‘Take a kid bungy jumping’, Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow and Empower) and BLAST (Blue Light Alternative Strategy for Teenagers to promote resilience and self confidence. 

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