A crane is usually used to erect the posts, but the school did not want to risk damaging the wet grounds.
Thinking it was a long shot, Waitaki Boys' rugby committee chairman Graeme Butler called Heliventures to ask if the Oamaru helicopter company would donate the flying and lifting of their main rugby ground posts.
Owners Craig McMillan and Nicki Perniskie agreed, and had the job done in about 10 minutes yesterday afternoon. Mr McMillan is pictured flying a post into place.
The use of a long line and remote hooks, usually used for agricultural jobs such as lifting stock out of snow in high country areas, made the process easy and efficient, Ms Perniskie said.
Waitaki Boys' High School rector Paul Jackson said with five games due to be played on school fields this weekend, he was ''absolutely delighted'' the posts could be installed.
Waitaki Boys' 1st XV faces James Hargest College, from Invercargill, in the first game of the season at 1pm on Saturday.
- by Rebecca Ryan
