Michael's just walking on air

Michael Burton with his Hoverwing. Photo / Supplied

Michael Burton has set up a "world first" ride with a difference at Lake Rotoiti.

The hovercraft Hoverwing can travel at more than 100km/h, flying 30cm off the surface of the water using a phenomenon called ground effect.

It has been operating for just over two months and is the creation of Mr Burton, an aeronautical engineer.

"I wanted to do something that was a world first," said the British expat.

Mr Burton said he thought of a hovercraft when he and his wife were living in Napier and went on a trip to Cape Kidnappers.

"It initially started because we thought: how can we get people to Cape Kidnappers? You can't take a boat out because the water is too shallow and rocky."

Mr Burton travelled to Illinois in the US to meet the designers of the hovercraft and he helped them assemble his machine.

He brought it back to New Zealand and, after encouragement from Rotorua Lakes Council, settled in Rotorua.

"I've found the relationships between the tourism operators and council here are fantastic.

"I spoke to council and said I have this Hoverwing, it is the only commercial hovercraft in the world, and they said that sounds fantastic, bring it to Rotorua."

Now the only thing that could hinder the Hoverwing was excessive winds, Mr Burton said.

Mr Burton said the Hoverwing appealed to a wide range of people.

He enjoyed the Kiwi "can-do" attitude, he said. "In the UK, to do something like this, you would have to start a committee and have a think about it, but here you can just go out and do it," he said. Mr Burton said he was looking forward to his first summer with the Hoverwing in Rotorua. Visit www.hoverwing.co.nz for more information.