Rose the Black Hawk helicopter graces Bay of Plenty skies

The new Black Hawk helicopter has arrived in the Bay of Plenty from America. Photo / Supplied

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's Rose - the helicopter.

A new US Black Hawk helicopter hit the skies this weekend after making its home in the Bay of Plenty.

Whakatāne based Kahu NZ shared the news on its Facebook page.

"After a few good years we now have our own Black Hawk (N160PA) resident and operating in New Zealand.

"This aircraft is like no other. It's immensely impressive and going to have an amazing future here in New Zealand and our neighbouring regions."

The company has called it Rose after the owner's mother.

Formerly Frontier Helicopters, Kahu NZ is a professional helicopter business operating in the Eastern Bay of Plenty since 1998.

The company conducts various air transport, external load and training operations and therefore has a large variety of other aircraft.

Black Hawk, welcome to New Zealand! After a few good years we now have our own Black Hawk (N160PA) resident and operating in New Zealand. This aircraft is like no other. Its immensely impressive and going to have an amazing future here in NZ and our neighbouring regions. Its with huge thanks and the greatest memory to the following, whom without this wouldn't be possible; Our dear Mum (Rose) whom we have named N160PA after My family (Anna, Joshua, Samuel, Matthew & Jacob) My brothers (Peter and Dave) & Sisters My great friends The Pickering Family My company workmates Steve Cranswick, Darren Anstey, Brad Saunders, Don Bission, Alex Anduze and Kenny Brown Redfort The Biel Family Our NZ CAA When you see the Black Hawk around, please come and have a look and chat to the team. This aircraft is here to stay and we are looking forward to sharing it across NZ. Thanks to everyone else who has made this possible.

Posted by Kahu NZ on Wednesday, 12 June 2019

The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is the United States Army's primary medium-lift utility transport and air assault aircraft.

The four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter was designed to carry 11 combat troops in addition to a crew of three and was intended to serve in utility, air assault, medivac, command and control, and reconnaissance roles.