Sir Tim Wallis
You can't talk aviation in Central Otago without talking Tim Wallis!
Sir Tim gained an international profile when he pioneered wild deer recovery in the 1960’s, using helicopters first to hunt and then to recover New Zealand’s furtive mountain deer, classified by the government as ‘noxious animals’ for the damage they were causing in our mountains. From this he began to export the unique taste of premium farmed venison to the world.
Warbird aficionados right across the globe also know the name of this pioneer aviator. Founder of the internationally acclaimed ’Warbirds over Wanaka’, Sir Tim Wallis’ vision for a world class airshow in a stunning alpine amphitheatre now brings tens of thousands of visitors to New Zealand for the biennial Easter show.
Established in 1988, the barnstorming spectacular soon featured World War Two fighters like Spitfires, Kittyhawks and Mustangs, classics seldom seen in our skies before. Tim imported them, restored them, flew them and what’s more, taught local pilots to fly them. His collection of airworthy fighters at one stage exceeded 25 aircraft.
“Hurricane Tim” - yes he rebuilt and owned one of those too - was often seen flying around the country in one of two Spitfires he owned.
Today Sir Tim and his wife Prue enjoy their retirement near Wanaka.
The Alpine Group, now operated by their four sons, continues to have interests in helicopters and deer, exporting premium meat and health products to the far corners of the globe.
