A man who allegedly threw rocks at a helicopter near Turangi last month was denied bail when he appeared in Taupo District Court today.
Several members of his family, including his young son, were in court to support Daniel Whetu Ormsby, 44.
Ormsby had sought electronic bail, but the court was told a suitable bail address had not been found.
Judge James Weir remanded him in custody to appear in the High Court at Rotorua on August 27 when a further bail application will be heard.
Ormsby has been in custody since July 21 when he was charged with damage, endangering or likely to endanger a helicopter in flight, and with assaulting the pilot with stones.
The helicopter suffered at least $20,000 worth of damage when hit with rocks while idling near Waihi Village, at the southern end of Lake Taupo.
Pilot Matt Boulcott made an emergency lift-off after the rocks shattered his front window and hit him on the shoulder.
Mr Boulcott was collecting surveyors who were monitoring a potential landslide after earthquakes and wet weather in the area.
Police have previously opposed bail, saying Ormsby was "passionate" and "driven" to defend his land and his beliefs.
They said there was a risk if Ormsby was bailed and returned to to Tokaanu, near Turangi.
