However, in the future its creator hopes it will be used to propel jet planes through the air.
Electrical engineering student Conor Lawrence (24) said getting the balsawood construction to fly involved firing 40,000 volts across two asymmetrical electrodes.
''When the high voltage is applied, a jetstream of ions is generated.''
The construction pushed the air down, like a helicopter, but unlike a helicopter it did not involve any moving parts.
The most difficult part was achieving liftoff without the device bursting into flames, which had happened a few times with prototype systems.
He had completed the project this month after working on it since May.
''It is a bit unusual. I heard about it through my lecturer, and so I chose it for my project, for my topic.''
Mr Lawrence wanted to see if it could be applied to aircraft, to assist aeroplanes with lift.
It would assist with takeoff and fuel consumption and potentially help reduce emissions.
Mr Lawrence was in his third year of study, and had one semester next year in which he planned to further develop the propulsion system.
His lecturer, William Phipps, said such a system had not been commercialised before.
''I was quite impressed and proud of Conor and what he achieved. He worked really hard,'' Mr Phipps said.
''It's good to see him push through.
''It's not commercialised anywhere, but next year we are looking to take it to the next level.''
Originally from Oamaru, Mr Lawrence said he planned to work in the power distribution industry in his hometown once he finished at polytechnic.
