Okarito sky-dive proposed

Thrill-seekers could soon be taking in the sights of Okarito from 13,000 feet if a proposed sky-dive venture gets off the ground.
The proposal to land near the Okarito beach on the old airstrip, has been trialed once by Skydive Franz Josef, which says the experience would be marketed as the company’s “premium product”.
Director James Meldrum said the Okarito drop zone would be an extension of their new Franz Josef Glacier base, which was established three months ago to accommodate the more adventurous traveller.
“For a lot of young backpackers it’s on their agenda to sky-dive in New Zealand,” he said.
The idea was to cater to them on the West Coast before they headed down to Wanaka and Queenstown, he said.
A Fox Glacier company has offered sky-diving in the glacier area for the past few years. The Franz Josef venture was recently set up after four years of planning by its four directors, who are also pilots and instructors.
Mr Meldrum said the “stunning” Franz Josef landscape, including the glacier itself, made it the ideal drop zone, as would Okarito.
The Department of Conservation is still considering consent for the proposed parachute landing site.