The day Harvey dropped in
Photos record visit by skydiving champ to thank town for support
Sixty years ago this month, Katikati kids looked to the skies and were amazed and enthralled to see a man parachuting into the school grounds.
That sky-man was ex-student and one of New Zealand’s parachuting champions, Harvey Hutchinson, “dropping in” to see the students and thank the community by giving them a taste of his beloved sport.
Photos were published in the Bay of Plenty Times on June 16, 1962.
Katikati people had helped raise money to get Harvey - who would later live in Rotorua - overseas for the world championships.
Wife Ann says Harvey parachuted into Katikati District High School (now Katikati College) grounds to “show the residents what he was all about and as a big thank you”.
“He was thrilled that there were so many people there to watch, knowing that many people, especially children, had never experienced anything like it.
“The school kids loved the display and mobbed him when he landed.”
Sue Baker Wilson was one of those children and can be seen beaming in photos from the day.
“My hero had just jumped in the school grounds. That little girl knew in that moment that Katikati was much ‘bigger’ than I might have previously realised.”
Harvey attended the world champs in 1962 in the United States after just two years of jumping experience.
He was “beyond grateful” for Katikati raising money because he had no funds for the trip.
His next international competition was in Leipzig, East Germany, in 1966.
Harvey lived in Crossley St all his life until moving to learn boilermaking and for compulsory military service.
When he first started skydiving in the 1960s, he was the only Ma¯ ori involved.
He used to fly Tiger Moths and after seeing an Auckland club aerobatic display, decided he needed to give skydiving a go.
Harvey later moved to Rotorua and started a parachute centre, and another club after moving to Australia in 1969.
Harvey is now 87 and lives in Mackay, Queensland. He no longer jumps, but still helps with ground landing photography.