Balloons Over Waikato 2026: Special shapes are Lulu the Leopard and Prickly Pete

Lulu the Leopard is one of two special shapes heading to Waikato.

A giant leopard and a porcupine-inspired hot air balloon will take to the skies above Waikato next year.

The two balloons from the United States are known as Lulu the Leopard and Prickly Pete, and have just been announced as the two special shapes heading to Balloons Over Waikato.

Lulu the Leopard has already travelled across the US, Canada and Taiwan and will be piloted by Will Randell from Coopersburg, Pennsylvania.

He said joining Balloons Over Waikato has been a long-held dream and being able to share Lulu with a whole new part of the world was really special.

“I’ve always wanted to fly over New Zealand - it’s one of those places that captures the imagination.”

For Randall, ballooning is more than just flight, it’s about that feeling of “being free up there”.

“It never gets old.”

Randall said Lulu was designed for his daughter, which made flying it extra special.

“It feels like we are taking a bit of her creativity into the sky.”

Prickly Pete is a porcupine-shaped hot air balloon.

Meanwhile, Prickly Pete was also a family design. He was inspired by pilot Brad Burdue’s wife, after their daughter wished for a pet porcupine.

Burdue spent 30 years in the aviation industry, but had an unconventional start in hot air ballooning.

“I traded aircraft maintenance for flight lessons, and I’ve never looked back.

“Ballooning has taken me places I never imagined, and meeting people from around the world is the best part.”

The balloon is nearly brand new, having only had 10 hours of flying time so far.

It is named after one of Burdue’s most dedicated crew members.

“He’s got attitude, just like his namesake, but he makes people smile everywhere we go.”

Lulu the Leopard and Prickly Pete will join a line-up of local and international balloons at Balloons Over Waikato 2026.

The annual festival will this year take place across a whole week, from March 21 to March 28 and start with the Zuru Nightglow, at the University of Waikato.