Aviation entrepreneur and Warbirds over Wānaka founder Sir Tim Wallis has died this afternoon, at the age of 85.
The Greymouth-born businessman helped pioneer New Zealand's deer farming industry after realising that helicopters were perfect for live captures.
He also founded Warbirds over Wānaka, a three-day airshow held every two years to crowds of 50,000 people.
Sir Tim headed the event's organising team until 2006, when it was passed on to the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust.
He was knighted for his services to deer farming exports and the community in 1994.
In a statement this evening, his wife and children said: "It is with great sadness that we advise the death of our beloved Tim."
Sir Tim died at home this afternoon "surrounded by family with a helicopter parked outside his window".
"An exceptional man and a wonderful life."
In a statement, Warbirds over Wānaka Community Trust chairman John Gilks remembered Sir Tim as "a real business entrepreneur and his legacy in this region goes way beyond the airshow".
Warbirds general manager Ed Taylor said he had fond memories of catching up with the businessman over the past 12 years.
"I loved nothing more than having chats with him which almost always were about the airshow," he said.
"I might be talking to a relatively young Warbird display pilot in the US or Europe and they would ask after Sir Tim – they all knew him by name."
A funeral will be held at Wānaka Airport later next week.
He is survived by his wife Prue and their two sons, Toby and Jonathan.
SHARE ME