Charles Wharekiri Nelson
Founder and Chief Executive
Charlie is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and an Executive Director of VertiLink.
With more than two decades of experience in the aviation industry, Charlie has held senior operational, training and regulatory roles throughout New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific and Asia. His career has spanned commercial airline operations, aviation training, regulatory oversight and emerging aviation technologies, providing a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the future aviation sector.
Through his experience across both industry and government, Charlie has developed extensive expertise in aviation safety, operational leadership and industry development.
Driven by a passion for innovation and community outcomes, Charlie founded VertiLink with a vision of ensuring New Zealand is prepared for the next generation of aviation. Under his leadership, VertiLink continues to build strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders, iwi, healthcare providers, and research institutions to explore how Advanced Air Mobility can be integrated in a way that best improves connectivity, resilience and access to essential services for communities across Aotearoa.
Charlie believes that the successful integration of Advanced Air Mobility will depend not only on technology but equally on the strength of community partnerships, responsible infrastructure development and a commitment to delivering meaningful social outcomes. His focus remains on creating a future where emerging aviation technologies help connect people, strengthen communities and deliver lasting value for New Zealanders.
