The nest was perched at the top of a 25-metre-high (83-foot) Pururi tree, located above a community centre in the small town of Pawarenga, 980 km (610 miles) from Wellington.

Mr Knight attached himself to the helicopter with two 30-metre ropes, and was then flown directly above the nest.

Taking a stick from his harness, he poked a hole into the top and poured canisters of insecticide inside.

He was then flown away, surrounded by wasps, and lowered to the ground, where he was sprayed again with insecticide.

'Hugely crazy'

Mr Knight has been hailed as a hero in the quiet Pawarenga community.

He volunteered to do the job for free after dozens of local residents were stung on their way to the community centre under the nest.

The pest controller proved he was a Knight in sting-proof armour

He conceded that he was "hugely crazy" to have attempted the feat, but said he would definitely be willing for a repeat performance.

Describing the experience on local radio, he said the air was so thick with wasps that his visibility was restricted.

"They were pinging off me," he said.

But despite Mr Knight's bizarre tactics, his feat was successful.

The wasps are no longer a problem - and he did not receive a single sting.