Flying Kiwi returns for balloons over Waikato birthday

Come and meet Resene Proud to be Kiwi and join in the birthday celebrations at Balloons over Waikato's 20th Birthday. Photo / Supplied

Resene Proud to be Kiwi is the third special shape balloon announced for this year's Balloons over Waikato, returning Tuesday to Saturday, March 19 to 23.
This year is Balloons over Waikato's 20th birthday and the festival will feature many birthday treats, including the return of several special shapes and all the much-loved events within the five-day festival.

A valued partner of Balloons over Waikato is Resene, which is responsible for bringing many special shapes to the event over the years.

This year they have chosen to bring back Resene Proud to be Kiwi for the second time.

"It's a great privilege to choose a special shape for Balloons over Waikato each year and we always look for balloons that are unique, fun and with plenty of personality," Resene's Karen Warman says. "We're proud to be a Kiwi company so we couldn't go past the opportunity to bring back our favourite giant flying kiwi. We're looking forward to seeing this kiwi fly high."

Kiwis don't fly, but this one last flew at Balloons over Waikato in 2012. Resene Proud to be Kiwi is seven storeys high and weighs over 200kg. He will not only carry the Resene logo but also features a large silver fern on his chest.

Balloon pilot Rick Walczak is a Kiwi living in Chile, with over 40 years' of international flying experience.

He has participated in over 350 balloon events around the world, including events in the USA, China, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Panama, India, Turkey and the UK.

Flying starts Tuesday 19 March at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake and continues each morning of the five-day festival.

Come and visit your favourite three Special Shapes — Darth Vader, Betty Jean Butterfly and Resene Proud to be Kiwi — as well as the 20 other balloons from Australia and around New Zealand.

Information: www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz