Air Chats Autumn 2021 Inflight Magazine by Air Chathams

Air Chats A I R C H AT H A M S I N F L I G H T M AG A Z I N E

Autumn 2021 // ISSUE 07

C H AT H A M I S LA N D S

KĀ P I T I COA S T

Your complimentary copy

W H A KATĀ N E

WHANGANUI

N O R F O L K I S LA N D

A U C K LA N D

If you wander through Whanganui’s town centre - be sure to look up. The preserved building façades provide just a glimpse into our interesting vintage heritage. Whanganui is one of New Zealand’s oldest towns and touches of our past are everywhere. From historic Maori buildings and colonial churches through to Victorian and Edwardian architecture, Whanganui’s past is its future. In celebration of our heritage, visitors can still experience a river trip on a paddle steamer; take in a performance at the Royal Opera House; travel in the century old Durie Hill underground elevator or dress up and party at the town’s popular annual vintage weekend. Discover for yourself what makes Whanganui so special. When it comes to real estate, let the local Bayleys team help you on your property journey. Call us today.

06 348 0573 ALTOGETHER LOCAL

Bayleys Whanganui 158 Wicksteed Street BARTLEY REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Welcome After a very challenging 2020, everyone at Air Chathams hopes you are all well rested and ready for a big 2021! And more importantly that you managed to spend quality time with family and friends over the summer break. Despite the current COVID environment we find ourselves in, this is always a fun time of year for Air Chathams. We see the clientele change dramatically in the lead up to the Christmas holidays with passengers traveling on our networks to reconnect with family in the regions we serve, and this is especially so for the Chatham Islands, that rely on our services not just for personal travel but to ensure that the tonnes of Christmas presents and festive season groceries make it to the island on time. This year with the increased numbers of visitors to the island we added a record number of extra cargo services and a few additional passenger flights to ensure we met the demand. In addition, with the ‘longer and stronger’ Chatham Airport project due to start this year, we see no end in sight for the popularity of Rēkohu/Wharekauri (Chatham Islands) - so if you want to experience these beautiful islands now is the time!

Another recent highlight for Air Chathams was taking our beautiful Douglas DC-3 on tour around the North Island. She proved extremely popular on the Kāpiti Coast and Whanganui, with all available seats sold out before the events. It is incredible how an aeroplane can bring so much joy to a community as passengers reminisce the days these beautiful aircrafts were the sole provider of domestic air travel around Aotearoa. We now look forward to flying our DC-3 ‘Kaitaia’ to the South Island over Easter for the Classic Fighters Air Show. Our family airline continues to recover from the heavy impacts of COVID on air travel, but we are hopeful that with the upcoming roll out of vaccines and the development of safe travel zones that our international borders may safely open and allow for a return to international connecting traffic into our regions. And of course, allow us to re-establish the direct link from Auckland to Norfolk Island. We wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year. Duane Emeny, Chief Operating Officer Air Chathams

Duane and Craig Emeny

Each year Air Chathams carries more than 140,000 passengers around New Zealand, and in each edition of our inflight magazine Air Chats we celebrate the very best of the regions we cover: from art and culture, to business, history and lifestyle, Air Chats tells the stories of the people who make those places great. If you’d like to be a part of Air Chats, get in touch - the team would love to hear from you.

marketing@airchathams.co.nz airchathams.co.nz

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Publisher Plenty Limited - airchats@plenty.co.nz Editor/Kaiwhakatika Tuhinga Andy Taylor - info@plenty.co.nz Design & Production/Kaiwhakatauira Sarah Lane - design@plenty.co.nz Advertising Enquiries airchats@plenty.co.nz +64 (0)27 932 5515 Cover image Mataatua Wharenui, Whakatāne. Image courtesy Whakatāne District Council.

Air Chats is published by Plenty Limited on behalf of Air Chathams Limited. Copyright 2021 by Plenty Limited. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the prior consent of the publisher. Advertising statements and editorial opinions expressed in Air Chats do not necessarily reflect the views of Plenty Limited or Air Chathams Limited. ISSN 2624-4179 (print), ISSN 2624-4861 (digital).

Contents AIR CHATS

AUTUMN/MARCH/2021

04 08

EVENTS/NEWS The airline that brings New Zealand together.

LEAVING ONLY FOOTPRINTS

More Kiwis than ever are visiting the Chathams - let’s help preserve this special place.

MĀORILAND FILM FESTIVAL Come see the world on the big screen at the Māoriland Film Festival.

26 30 34 38 40

MOUNTAIN TO SEA Whanganui: home to some of the best fun on two wheels to be had in Aotearoa.

COMING HOME

The House that Came Home has travelled the world - now it’s back in Whakatāne.

A WAIHEKE WEEKEND

Waiheke Island is Auckland’s best day out so make a weekend of it.

SUSTAINABLE SKIES We’re working to reduce our environmental impact, and composting is playing a big part.

OUR FLEET

From single engine light aircraft to our turbo-prop planes, we’ve something for every occasion.

DESTINATIONS

Air Chathams is New Zealand’s largest privately owned airline, flying to some of New Zealand’s best regional destinations.

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Artists Open Studios From 20 till 28 March, Whanganui www.openstudios.co.nz

Events

WHANGANUI

Meet the artists behind the art and help celebrate 21 years of art discovery in the Whanganui region with this fantastic annual event that lets you see into the worlds of the district’s creators. One of the largest, longest running and most diverse artist trails in the country, complete with workshops and events, hundreds of artists open their doors and share their unique craft over two weekends in March.

The Extravaganza Fair Saturday, 17 April 9am and Sunday, 18 April 9am Kowhai Park, Anzac Parade, Whanganui New Zealand’s largest and most fabulous travelling event - the Extravaganza Fair - is a free entry family affair with something for everyone. Unique market stalls, arts and crafts, food, musical entertainment, circus shows, performers, and they’re even bringing back the old school: join in for sack races, a tug of war and musical bean bags to be in to win prizes!

ANZAC Day Cruise Sunday, 25 April 1pm till 3pm Waimarie Centre, Whanganui With ANZAC commemorations mostly cancelled in 2020, it’s great to be able to mark this special occasion in 2021, and a two-hour cruise on the paddle steamer Waimarie taking in the scenery and listening to live commentary focusing on local and national ANZAC history is a great way to do it.

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The annual and much anticipated Molly Morpeth Canaday Award, Painting and Drawing, has been developed over 30 years and sits credibly within the New Zealand arts community. A high standard of work is selected to form the exhibition, from nationwide entries by three pre-selection judges, and the exhibition at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre is a great taste of the contemporary Kiwi scene.

AUCKLAND

On now till Sunday, 4 April Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre, Whakatāne

Waiheke Jazz Festival Easter, April 2-5 at various venues www.waihekejazzfestival.co.nz From the Good Friday Groove to the legendary Jazz Long Lunch on Monday, the Waiheke Jazz Festival showcases some fantastic local talent in a variety of awesome settings. Four days of great music, and not just Jazz - there will also be Americana, Folk, Latin-Ska, Jazz, Soul, R’nB and Salsa-Flamenco fusion. See the website for more details.

��

KĀPITI COAST

WHAKATĀNE

Molly Morpeth Canaday Award

Māoriland Film Festival 2021 Wednesday, 24 March Sunday, 28 March 10am till 10pm Māoriland Hub, Ōtaki, Kāpiti Coast The world comes to Ōtaki for the Māoriland Film Festival, with filmmakers from 27 countries and with a total of 94 indigenous nations taking part in screenings, workshops and events. This is the largest indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere so see our article in this issue of Air Chats for all the details.

Coastal Blues Saturday, 10 April 6pm till 10pm Te Raukura ki Kāpiti - Coastlands Theatre, Paraparaumu, Kāpiti Coast A great night out showcasing the best of New Zealand’s Blues artists, all in Raumati on the wonderful Kāpiti Coast. The Caramello’s, Karen Clarke and New Zealand’s finest Blues artist Darren Watson and band are on the bill for a night to remember.

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News

Ōhope takes the crown The people have spoken and it’s official: Ōhope is Aotearoa’s best beach. The 11km of white sand and surf of Ōhope topped the New Zealand Herald readers’ poll for 2021, confirming what locals have known for years and giving the rest of us another reason to pay a visit to Whakatāne for the ultimate Kiwi beach getaway. Readers noted the safety of the beach, the family friendly atmosphere, and the wide open spaces of Ōhope as the main reasons for its win, so book a flight now to find out what all the excitement is about.

�� Whakatāne takes top sunshine spot Not satisfied with Ōhope being voted New Zealand’s best beach for 2021, the eastern Bay of Plenty has also taken the title of the nation’s Sunshine Capital. After six years of being beaten by South Island locations, Whakatāne has bested the likes of Richmond, Blenheim and Nelson to win with a whopping 2704 sunshine hours. Fear not though folks, Whakatāne’s Mayor Judy Turner has promised to share, inviting all Kiwis to come on over to Whakatāne and enjoy the sunshine.

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Image Robbie Lanauze

Jobs - and nature - boost for Kāpiti An unprecedented $8.5 million in Jobs for Nature funding will be coming to the Kāpiti district over the next four years. The Department of Conservation has awarded funding to create 92 jobs for environmental restoration in the Waikanae River catchment and work on native afforestation, fencing and pest, animal and weed control will kick off in 2021. Kāpiti Mayor K Gurunathan says the investment comes at a crucial time for both ecological and employment benefits. Kiwis flock to Chatham Islands While many parts of the New Zealand tourism industry have struggled in the wake of COVID-19 and the associated restrictions on international visitors, the Chatham Islands have experienced something of a boom. A comparison of visitor numbers between 2019 and 2020 showed a 32 percent increase in arrivals, with Kiwis appearing to be taking the industry’s call to ‘do something new New Zealand’ to heart. Local operators were also not expecting there to be the usual winter fall off in numbers. To find out more, see our Chathams Island article in this issue of Air Chats!

“We’ve never seen such a significant central Government investment in conservation in Kāpiti so this is a huge win for the coast,” Mayor Gurunathan says. “This will supercharge work to restore our native ecosystem and provide an important employment boost. Half of the 92 jobs are earmarked for iwi and will provide opportunities at all skill levels. “The outcomes of this investment will help enhance the mana of our land and people. I can’t wait to see this work begin.”

Whanganui’s Watt Fountain

Bumper year for Whanganui retailers Despite the restrictions and uncertainty brought by COVID-19, Whanganui retailers experienced their best year on record in 2020. The annual spend was up 1.4 percent, bucking the national trend which saw retail spending down by 3.9 per cent. A dedicated promotion campaign for the district brought in many domestic visitors and this, supported by loyal locals, is believed to be the driver behind Whanganui retailers’ success in 2020. A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // A U T U M N 2 0 2 1

CHATHAM ISLANDS

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Leaving only footprints Images courtesy of Chatham Islands Tourism

For decades, the Chatham Islands were completely overlooked by most of us; more New Zealanders flew to Fiji than to this easternmost part of Aotearoa that was just a couple of hours away. “For a long time, Kiwis have not really been aware of the Chatham Islands, or that they are a part of New Zealand!” says Jackie Gurden, Chatham Islands Tourism Manager. “You don’t need a passport to go there, but the Islands have always been a bit of a well-kept secret.” That secret is now well and truly out. Because while tourism destinations here and internationally have struggled in the wake of COVID-19 and the associated restrictions on travel, visitor numbers to the Chatham Islands have grown. Between 2019 and 2020 the Islands saw a 32 percent increase in arrivals (albeit on a low base of just over 1300 visitors per year), with Kiwis appearing to be taking the tourism industry’s call to ‘do something new New Zealand’ well and truly to heart. This has been great for tourism providers and for the Islands (as it brings in much-welcomed income to help improve infrastructure), but it also comes with a cost; increased visitor numbers mean an increased impact on the environment, and for a remote location like this where locals have to largely live off the land, this can have wide reaching repercussions. A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // A U T U M N 2 0 2 1

“We’re thrilled that Kiwis are discovering the Chatham Islands,” says Jackie, “but we’re also aware of the impacts such a large increase in tourism can have, so we’re really asking visitors to help out by following some simple guidelines. This is a very remote and fragile environment, so the old adage about taking only photographs and leaving only footprints is really true here.” One of the most important things to remember while visiting the Islands is that this is a community of around 700 people who rely on the islands resources to survive. The Chathams are rightly famous for kaimoana - with fresh blue cod and crayfish particularly popular - but remember to take only what you need for a meal, and if you do want to take home some seafood to impress your friends and whanau then purchase it from one of the local factories. “Paua in particular are under threat,” Jackie says, “so please leave those to the locals - they are a really important food source for Chatham Islanders, and believe me, there are plenty of other yummy things to enjoy!” Something that often surprises first time visitors to the Islands is the landscape. There is a broad range of geography with colours and formations very different to what we see on mainland New Zealand. The unique landscape formations like the basalt columns at Ohiro Bay or the spectacular views over Petrie Bay are stunning, but resist the temptation to take some of it home with you.

Glory Cottage at Glory Bay, Pitt Island. Photo by Denise Hansen

Auckland

Wellington Christchurch

Chatham Islands

“The flora and fauna on the Chathams are unique,” says Jackie, “and we want the geological and archeological treasures here to stay where they belong, on the Islands for future generations to enjoy. Things like fossils are protected by law, but more importantly than that they are of immeasurable value to locals.” Also of great value to locals is their privacy; in such a wild and remote corner of the country its tempting to think that the Chatham Islands are largely deserted and that you have ‘access all areas’. The reality is very different. The Islands are mostly private lands, including the beaches, and most of the things to do and see are also sited on private property, so you do need to gain permission to access many of them. Fortunately, there is an easy win-win answer to all this. “We recommend going on one of the guided tours or hiring a local guide,” Jackie says. “This really does make it easier for all concerned and there is nothing like the depth of local knowledge to help you understand things and get the most out of your trip.

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Between 2019 and 2020 the (Chatham) Islands saw a 32 percent increase in arrivals

“All our guides are locals and they love to show off the place they call home. You’ll see things that you would never have found by yourself, so check out www. chathamislands.co.nz for info on guides and tours”.

Basalt Columns, Ohiro Bay

And there really is so much to see in the place they call home. Its history is fascinating and can be explored through things like a visit to Kōpinga Marae, the base for the revival of the Moriori language, cultural traditions and wānanga, as well as being an important focus for the local community. Then there is Maunganui Stone Cottage, built by German missionaries between 186668, and the picturesque Glory Cottage on Pitt Island that dates from the 1860s and is named after the wrecked brig Glory, whose survivors made one of New Zealand’s most epic open boat sea journeys – 1280km in 1827 – all in an effort to get back to their homes. But perhaps the star of the show is the glorious landscape. It really is like nowhere else, so on, do something new and visit the Chatham Islands, take some photos, and leave only your footprints.

Maunganui Stone Cottage

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Important Information for Visitors The Islands are a place where you will enjoy many different activities. Nature, history, culture, fishing, walks and hikes, photography, art and craft, isolated beaches and bird watching. Here are a few key things Tourism Chatham Islands would like you to know before you arrive.

Respecting the Local Kai Moana Resource The Chatham Islands are renowned for their abundant seafood. Help us preserve this valuable resource by taking only what you need for a meal and purchase fish to take home from the local factories. Please leave the paua beds for the locals. They are an important local food source and resource that we don’t want to see depleted. You can enjoy lots of quality Chatham Islands seafood on the menus here on the islands.

Private Land Access and Signage Unlike mainland New Zealand, most of the island, including the beaches, is privately owned land. Most attractions are on private land and access to them requires permission and payment of an entry fee. This must be prearranged and your host will be able to assist. Visitors are asked not to venture onto any private land without permission.

Natural and Archaeological Taonga The Chatham Islands are rich in flora and fauna, geological and archaeological treasures – for example native birds, fossils (including shark teeth), and sites related to Moriori settlement, all of which are protected by law. These also hold special value to Islanders. Please respect these by not removing any items you find.

Water Conservation Water is often in short supply and restrictions are put in place, particularly in summer. Please help us to conserve it when showering, flushing etc.

KĀPITI COAST

Māoriland Film Festival

Images courtesy of the Māoriland Film Festival

ACH MARCH the Māoriland Film Festival brings the best of indigenous filmmaking to Ōtaki for five glorious days of cinema, workshops, exhibitions and events. And with our borders still closed and a host of international and local entrants in this year’s Festival, there’s never been a better time to head on over to the Kāpiti Coast and see the world on the big screen.

Move over Wellington; Ōtaki gets the bragging rights as the home of Kiwi cinema. Way back in the 1920s, the Australian company Federated Feature Films Ltd floated the idea of setting up a New Zealand branch to produce feature films for the burgeoning domestic markets here and across the Tasman. A Mr Frank Moore duly visited on their behalf and suggested Ōtaki as the most suitable place to establish a studio because of the town’s varied scenery in addition to what he called “potent actinic rays” (that’s just light to you and me), and the New Zealand Moving Picture Company (aka Māoriland Films) was established. Sadly, it lasted just six months and produced only a handful of films – including a comedy caper featuring a Charlie Chaplin lookalike – before vanishing, but in 2014 the Māoriland Charitable Trust set about putting Ōtaki back on the movie map, starting with an indigenous film festival.

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“We’re really looking forward to bringing our audience together to celebrate indigenous storytelling.”

hough only founded in 2014, the Māoriland Film Festival (MFF) has already made something of a name for itself. Now established as the largest Indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere, it attracted more than 12,000 attendees in 2019, celebrating storytelling through film with an impressive roster of events and screenings. The 2020 event was – thanks to COVID-19, naturally – a very different story, closing after just one day of screenings and being rescheduled to September, when COVID once again threw a spanner in the works. Organisers have now returned to the regular March spot for 2021 and have lined up an inspiring collection of films, events, and exhibitions featuring filmmakers from 27 countries and with a total of 94 indigenous nations taking part. We may not be able to travel internationally, but the world is coming to Ōtaki for the Māoriland Film Festival and there’s a lot to be said for seeing something on the big screen.

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Putting Ōtaki back on the movie map, starting with an indigenous film festival. “We’re really looking forward to bringing our audience together to celebrate indigenous storytelling,” says the MFF programme manager Madeleine de Young. “At Māoriland we invite the viewer to travel the world through film, and while we’ve probably all spent more time than ever watching movies at home, there’s nothing like the shared experience of watching a film together and talking about it after.” And there will be plenty to talk about. The 2021 Festival includes the festival premiere of the New Zealand film Cousins, world-renowned Métis Cree Canadian documentarian Loretta Todd’s debut feature film Monkey Beach, the latest feature film from multi-award winning Mohawk (Canada) director Zoe Hopkins, Run Woman Run, will be screened on closing night, and there will be a wide range of documentaries and short films. There’s something for everyone at Māoriland, and while border restrictions mean the filmmakers themselves will be beaming in digitally rather than appearing in person, de Young says this has presented opportunities as well as challenges. “On one hand, we’re going to miss them terribly,” she says. “On the other hand however, the digital connectivity fostered in 2020 means filmmakers who previously may have not been able to make it to the Festival will be able to be a part of it - no matter where they are in the world!”

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It’s that kind of can-do attitude – in addition to dedication and passion obviously – that has seen the Festival grow so exponentially in less than ten years; what other festival has become an international film fixture in so short a time, and at a time during which we have been constantly told of the death of cinema in the digital age? The Māoriland Film Festival is so much more than a celebration of celluloid however. Further evidence of the vision of its creators is to be found in the Māoriland Hub, part screening location and part creative centre, that the people who bring you the MFF have established in Ōtaki. “The Māoriland Hub is designed to be a centre of excellence for Māori film and creativity,” de Young says. “Open year-round, the Māoriland Hub houses Toi Matarau Gallery, a contemporary Māori art gallery and M.A.T.C.H – the Māoriland Tech Creative Hub. Lovers of live entertainment should keep an eye out for Māoriland Presents – intimate music performances with leading New Zealand artists – but there is a whole host of creativity to be found within the Hub’s walls.”

The Māoriland Film Festival is so much more than a celebration of celluloid!

Auckland

Otaki Kāpiti Coast

For all the details check out www.maorilandfilm.co.nz

WHANGANUI

MOUNTAIN TO

SEA

Whanganui is a great place for biking, with plenty of cycleways and tracks for all different grades and for all of the family. But if you really want to do something new New Zealand, then think about making a long weekend of it and experience the Mountains to the Sea Cycle Trail for some of the best fun on two wheels to be had in Aotearoa.

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Discover Whanganui this weekend.

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Discover Te Awa O Whanganui, immerse yourself in our vibrant arts scene, explore our rich heritage and experience our warm, friendly culture.

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ROM THE ALPINE SLOPES of the central plateau’s peaks to the ocean on Whanganui’s doorstep, the Mountain to Sea Cycle Trail is over 200 kms of 100% pure New Zealand goodness. Stunning scenery and natural beauty are to be found in not one but two national parks on the trail, and the journey takes in important cultural and historical sights as well as providing plenty of creature comforts like great eating and places to stay. The only hard part is knowing where to start.

Whanganui is in fact one of New Zealand’s oldest cities

The obvious answer to that conundrum is the mountains. Mt Ruapehu has long boasted two of our largest ski fields, Mt Tongariro is home to the world famous Alpine Crossing, and Mt Ngauruhoe is, well, our youngest and most active volcano. But the Cycle Trail is about biking, so leave your skis at home and instead think about whether you want to do the full monty from Ohakune to Whanganui - which can take three to five days depending on your fitness level (and propensity to linger!) - or break the Trail into a couple of its six sections, picking and choosing your personal highlights.

And there are some really spectacular highlights that make for family friendly day rides. Basing yourself in Whanganui means you don’t have to carry everything on your back, and you also have all the wining and dining options you need to soothe your muscles after a day on the road. And there are plenty of bike hire options and shuttles to drop you off or pick you up if you don’t want to make your ride a round trip effort. A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // A U T U M N 2 0 2 1

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REALLY GREAT DAY RIDE to start off with is the Whanganui River Road trail. At over 60kms this is a long but relatively leisurely ride that can be done in a day if you are keen but is best enjoyed at a more leisurely pace as there are plenty of places to stay overnight. Most riders start the River Road section at the small riverside settlement of Pīpīriki and take in the Ōmorēhu Waterfall lookout on the way to Jerusalem (home of the poet James K Baxter) and the century-old St Joseph’s Convent and Church. Other historical highlights on this ride include the 1854 Kawana flour mill and the Parkino and Pungarehu pā sites, with stunning views from the Aramoana Lookout not far up the road. And if going back in time is your thing then the Mangapurua Track is a must see. Best suited to experienced riders, this journey through the Whanganui National Park takes in overgrown farms, native forest and deep ravines as well as the famous Bridge to Nowhere. Opened in 1936, the bridge was supposed to benefit the World War One returned servicemen and their families who were trying to carve out farms in Mangapurua, but within ten years of its completion they had abandoned everything and left virtually penniless, beaten by the land that was supposed to be their livelihood. The bridge is all that remains - a superbly elegant monument to the broken dreams of some of our early colonial settlers.

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Plenty of possibilities to take a detour and check out the galleries, cafés and shops that Whanganui has to offer.

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HE OHAKUNE OLD COACH ROAD is another slice of history but the real star of the show on this section is the scenery. This part of the trail is suitable for riders of most ages and abilities and it traverses Tongariro National Park forest and farmland, with some great lookouts over the volcanic plateau as well as eery railway tunnels and impressive viaducts amongst the old bush camps and remains of the original cobblestone road. And if you are basing yourself in Whanganui, then the final stage of the Cycle Trail Ūpokongaro to the Tasman Sea - is a flat and easy few hours through the city to the ocean, with plenty of possibilities to take a detour and check out the galleries, cafés and shops that Whanganui has to offer. Shuttles are available to take you to Ūpokongaro, but because this ride is so flat it is generally an easy round-ish trip from where you are based. It offers excellent river views and takes in some great sculpture, and it also passes near the historic Durie Hill Elevator before ending up at North Mole, a moody, driftwood-strewn beach on the northern side of the Whanganui River breakwater.

It’s often overlooked that Whanganui is in fact one of New Zealand’s oldest cities, rich in heritage, arts and culture, and boasting an impressive variety of attractions; free wheeling through it on a bike is the best way to see its sights and sounds all at a leisurely pace. A must-see on any stay in Whanganui is the Saturday morning River Traders And Farmers Market, which is swiftly becoming known as one of the best in New Zealand with as many as one hundred stalls combining for a really diverse range of products all in one place, and if you do the Ūpokongaro to the Tasman Sea you’ll ride right past it! Located in an area of riverbank recorded as historically being a busy riverside trading site for local Māori, the accessway to the area was named by early European settlers as Market Place, and today shoppers can buy colourful art and craft, fresh garden plants and products, mouth-watering home baking and preserves, flavour-filled organic fruit and vegetables and a range of other goodies. It’s on every Saturday, rain or shine, and if you overindulge with some of the tasty treats on offer, well, get back on the bike and hit one of the trails to work it off. For all you need to know about the Mountain to the Sea Cycle Trail and to plan your long weekend getaway, check out www.mountainstosea.nz

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WHAKATĀNE

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COMING HOME MATAATUA WHARENUI

Images Whakatāne District Council. Historical images courtesy of Mataatua.

Its construction took nearly five years and was a tour de force of traditional artisanship

After a century-long journey around the world, the Mataatua wharenui is now back in its Whakatāne home – and the House That Came Home is now poised to play a pivotal role in a whole new narrative.

in Sydney and a deal was struck that the building would be part of the New Zealand pavilion before being returned to Whakatāne. As a symbol of a new era of cooperation, Ngāti Awa elders agreed.

When the Mataatua wharenui was constructed around 1870 it was one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand and stood as a symbol of strength and unity for Ngāti Awa and the Mataatua confederation. It was conceived by Wepiha Apanui and Hohaia Matatehokia, prominent Ngāti Awa leaders, and was to be a symbol of inspiration, a work of such grandeur that it would inspire new optimism, unity and hope. Its construction took nearly five years and was a tour de force of traditional artisanship; measuring 24 metres long and nearly eight metres wide it was also colossal by the standards of the day.

Thereafter, unfortunately, things began to go wrong. Arriving in Sydney the building was incorrectly reassembled so that the interior panels – featuring the intricate carvings – were used externally and thus exposed to the elements. It also suffered damage in transit, and suffered more in another move – this time to Melbourne – following an unscripted decision that it was to go on exhibition there as well. And as if the Australian climate and its notorious creepy crawlies weren’t bad enough, the wharenui was then dispatched to the damp of London; another round of dismantling, another journey by sea, and yet another rebuild that only helped to compound the existing errors. Repeated requests from Ngāti Awa for the wharenui’s return fell largely on deaf ears and its next stop was Dunedin in 1925; closer to home certainly, but still not home by a long-shot.

Unfortunately, in addition to admiring glances, the wharenui also drew more covetous attention. The New Zealand government approached Ngāti Awa in regard to exhibiting it in the ‘Inter-Colonial Exhibition’

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Top: Mataatua in Sydney, Australia (inside out panels) Bottom: Mataatua in Otago Museum

It would not be until 1996 that, as part of its Treaty settlement, Ngāti Awa negotiated an apology from the Crown, financial redress, and – crucially – the return of the wharenui to its original site. A painstaking project to repair the damage would take fifteen years – as long as it took to build it in its original form – before the House That Came Home once again stood tall in its proper place, looking out across the Whakatāne River and to Ōpihiwhanaungakore – the Piripai cemetery where Ngāti Awa’s ancestors lie. But the wharenui is not just home, it is poised to fulfil its original mission of reinvigorating the Mataatua confederation, in a way that could never have been foreseen by its creators.

“Once the wharenui was home,” says Ngāti Awa representative William Stewart, “once that had been celebrated, our leaders were keen for the house to once more inspire and unite Ngāti Awa and our relations from the Mataatua confederation. They recognised the potential of cultural tourism to provide jobs for our rangatahi, but there was strong reluctance to see a commercial model of the type made famous elsewhere in the Bay be applied to Mataatua: the sacredness of the wharenui was paramount – there was no way

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that we could compromise the tikanga and kawa of the marae because above all else, it is a living, breathing marae and tribal treasure of the iwi, not a tourist attraction.” Visitors to any country want a glimpse of what makes it unique and special, and at a time when most cultural tourism seems to exist solely in the glass cases of museum exhibits or the plastic facades of tourist ‘experiences’, Mataatua offers something very real and yet very accessible.

“The Mataatua experience is all the things the conventional ‘hangi and show’ model is not,” Stewart says, “so once we repositioned it and started promoting these aspects of the Mataatua brand, we got some real traction. The discussion has always been, ‘Does commerce come first or does culture come first.’ There is an idea that they cannot coexist, but my thinking is that at Mataatua we’ll prove they can not only coexist, but that they are complementary. We have to remain true to the mana of our whare and who we are as a people – but that refusal to compromise is the authenticity that visitors want to experience.” Check out www.mataatua.com for info on tours and how to experience the House That Came Home for yourself.

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AUCKLAND

A Waiheke Weekend It’s a haven of calm serenity, stunning views, olive groves and grape vines, just 35 mins from the heart of our largest city, and it’s been voted Auckland’s best day out. So leave the hustle and bustle of Auckland behind and head on over to Waiheke to experience a little piece of paradise. For most Kiwis, a trip to the Big Smoke means traffic jams and bright lights and the obligatory trip down Queen Street. But Auckland is home to many hidden gems and a day trip or sneaky weekender on Waiheke Island is the perfect complement some would say antidote! - to the City of Sails. Waiheke Island is often seen through a lens of preconceived - and wildly opposing - conceptions. To some it is a quaint hippie enclave, to others the playground of an elite few, but the reality is very different. It’s a slice of pure Kiwiana, beautiful beaches and an interesting and quirky history, great dining and a laid back but can-do culture.

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Images aucklandnz.com

If you’re spending time in Auckland for business or leisure then it makes the perfect weekend getaway, and every weekend getaway should start with brunch, lunch or dinner - depending on your arrival time naturally.

A slice of pure Kiwiana, beautiful beaches and an interesting and quirky history

And herein lies the first of Waiheke’s delights: beachside and alfresco dining with great views and equally great food. For a relatively small place there is plenty to choose from, including Mediterranean, Italian and seafood spots and some rather spectacular vineyards that are worth the trip from Auckland alone.

All Sorts of Cars! The climate and soil of Waiheke are well-suited to wine production, particularly reds like merlot and syrah, though in recent years whites like pinot gris and chardonnay have grown in popularity with producers. There are now at least 20 tasting room and cellar door operations on Waiheke, many with full restaurants, providing a wide variety of wine experiences for visitors and a great (and responsible) way to experience these is with a tour. Private or shared groups of various sizes are available, with or without meals and tastings included, and they can pick you up right from the ferry or ferry you and your friends about in everything from a comfy minivan to a double decker bus or a classic car. Great Kiwi wine, stellar views and dining, and all without the hassle of getting around yourself - this is the kind of getaway the rest of the world can only dream about right now and it’s well worth booking a beach house or a back packers and taking an extra day to explore all that this worldclass wine destination has to offer.

All Sorts of Rates! Friendly efficient service

0800 538 973 Conveniently located close to Auckland Airports. Free pick up and drop off service for Air Chathams customers info@letz.co.nz www.letz.co.nz A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // A U T U M N 2 0 2 1

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Planning and Engineering

Contact Andrew Ledingham Call 03 339 0401 Email andrew.l@blg.nz

Canterbury 0800 BLG 123 Marlborough 0800 BLG 123 Visit blg.co.nz

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Consult our experts to ensure your project gets off on the right foot.

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We are land development consultants specialising in planning, surveying and engineering design. We’re regularly making trips to the Chathams and we put the effort in up front to make sure you get the most from your land.

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Make sure you steal yourself away from the vines to experience a few of the island’s other unique attractions however. The white sandy beaches at Oneroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi slope gently down into the Hauraki Gulf and are perfect for swimming, kayaking, or having a picnic, and if you’re a walker, explore the island’s trails which meander along cliff tops and take in the beaches and stands of native forest; there are guided tours of these available too, so think about this for some local knowledge that will show you all the hidden gems as well as the cultural history of Waiheke. Be aware however that local iwi Ngāti Pāoa have placed a rahui on the taking of seafood from the island’s seabeds in a much-needed bid to stop the depletion of local kaimoana; it all remains a feast for the eyes though, so you can still soak that up. At the eastern end of the island one very notable gem is the Stony Batter walkway, which leads you to the system of World War Two tunnels and gun emplacements that have only recently been reopened to the public. The tunnels were built during World War Two to help protect Auckland from what was felt to be imminent invasion but were closed on 2015 due to safety concerns. The Department of Conservation has carried out extensive remedial work on the tunnels and have now reopened the site for guided tours, which offer a chance to stretch your legs - clear your head! - and walk off brunch as well as providing a fascinating glimpse into a time when things were not all wine and roses on Waiheke. Wine, beaches, history and hospitality; who could ask for more, and Waiheke delivers.

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ON BOARD

Sustainable

SKIES Photography Dan Burt

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With climate change becoming more and more of a concern for all of us, Air Chathams has been ramping up efforts to reduce our environmental impact. Now we’re making some real progress in making your Air Chathams flight more sustainable - and the good news is that we’re just getting started.

When most of us think of the airline industry and the environment, we think of long-haul flights and the effects of aviation fuel. But as a short-haul carrier running smaller and relatively cleaner aircraft, we realised we could have a far greater chance of reducing our impact on the environment by doing the right thing and getting our house - or in this case our cabins! - in order. Kiwis, and people everywhere, are being reminded to start with little things that will make a big difference, so we challenged our teams to take a good look at what we could do to reduce waste across the airline. Air Chathams is a proud member of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment, and we wanted to put that into action. In New Zealand, the Packaging Forum estimates that 295 million beverage cups (including coffee cups) are used every year, and the vast majority end up in landfill.

“Switching to alternative products hasn’t been easy to us as an airline, but this is important to us, and it’s important to Kiwis.”

With over 100 flights a week, we knew we were contributing to that - but how to change it? As frequent flyers ourselves we know that the inflight cup of coffee or tea is pretty important, so our Customer Product Manager Roy Mackereth and the cabin crews set about finding more sustainable solutions without compromising our industry-leading inflight experience.

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Coffee or tea - sustainably

“Our flight times predominately align with the business day,” says Roy, “so the serving of tea and coffee onboard is expected by our passengers, but it was important that we found a way to reduce waste. So we set out to find some solutions and some Kiwi companies that could help us introduce them.” One such Kiwi company is Superclean, who now supply most of our on-board cleaning products. A family owned and operated business established in 1976, Superclean specialise in environmental and biodegradable products, and because they are based in Whanganui - on one of our routes - we can source and distribute those products across our fleet directly. Also Whanganui based is Uni-Pak, who provide the Green Choice brand of recyclable or compostable food services products.  Green Choice products do not contain petroleum-based plastics, chemical dyes or inks, and only use plant-based materials in their construction; this means that our Green Choice cups are now made with paper sourced from managed plantations and coated with a material made from plants, not oil. They offer superior stability, lid fit, and insulation (because, well, the contents are really hot!) but they come from sustainable sources and - just as importantly - they are compostable, so won’t live on in landfill for years to come.

In fact, when you’re on board one of our flights, the majority of the products we give you are now compostable, including the hot cups, lids, cold cups, wooden stirrers, paper towels, napkins, and sweetener packets. Everything coming off our aircraft is sorted by our staff to make sure it ends up in the appropriate recycling or reuse destination. A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // A U T U M N 2 0 2 1

We’ve even sourced special compostable bags that can go straight into a receiving facility at Auckland Airport for collection by Kiwi company Reclaim - recognised as the market leader in the collection and processing of recyclable cardboard, waste paper, glass bottles, plastic film and containers - and then transported to Envirofert’s industrial composting facility in Tuakau.

We’re taking a long-term view of sustainability at Air Chathams

Envirofert operates one of the largest composting facilities in New Zealand, specializing in superior quality compost and blends for horticultural growers, farmers and landscape professionals located in the central and upper North Island. So what comes out of the Tuakau facility is a fully stabilised compost with high-nutrient and microbiological value - a compost that will end up on orchards, veggie gardens, and pastures.

That is a vast improvement over the mountain of non-biodegradable plastic that was destined for landfill just a few years ago, and it’s thanks to all these companies that we’ve been able to make these changes. But there’s more to come. “Switching to alternative products hasn’t been easy to us as an airline,” says Roy, “but this is important to us, and it’s important to Kiwis. We’re lucky enough to be in our 36th year of business, and we’re planning for success into the 4th decade of our business, so moving to compostable products now will help ensure the long-term sustainability of not just our business but our planet.” By focusing on the mainland routes serviced by our Saab 340 aircraft we’ve been able to refine our processes and significantly reduce the waste we are sending to landfill, but it’s also led to us having further conversations within our team about our sustainability journey and about how we can improve our supply chains. We’re taking a long-term view of sustainability at Air Chathams - and we want you to come along with us. A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // A U T U M N 2 0 2 1

AIRCRAFT AIR CHATHAMS

Our fleet

Air Chathams has a fleet of 15 aircraft, ranging from single-engine light planes to turboprop passenger aircraft capable of speeds of over 500km/h. With this diverse fleet we can offer everything from scenic flights to charters, passenger services and freight.

Saab 340 Our Swedish princess Speed Max Altitude Pressurised Cabin No. of Pilots No. of Flight Attendants Inflight Catering Toilet

470 kilometres per hour 25,000 feet Yes 2 1 Available Yes

Convair 580 The fastest scheduled turbo-prop in NZ skies Speed Max Altitude Pressurised Cabin No. of Pilots No. of Flight Attendants Inflight Catering Toilet

520 kilometres per hour 25,000 feet Yes 2 1 Available Yes

Fairchild Metroliner Safe, fast, and efficient commuter aircraft Speed Max Altitude Pressurised Cabin No. of Pilots No. of Flight Attendants Inflight Catering Toilet

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450 kilometres per hour 25,000 feet Yes 2 0 Limited No

ATR 72 Our newest regional airliner Speed Max Altitude Pressurised Cabin No. of Pilots No. of Flight Attendants Inflight Catering Toilet

500 kilometres per hour 25,000 feet Yes 2 2 Available Yes

Douglas DC-3 Our pride and joy. This remarkable aircraft has certainly ‘been there and done that’. Speed Max Altitude Pressurised Cabin No. of Pilots No. of Flight Attendants Inflight Catering Toilet

240 kilometres per hour 10,000 feet No 2 1 Available Yes

Cessna 206 The Chatham Islands workhorse Speed Max Altitude Pressurised Cabin No. of Pilots No. of Flight Attendants Inflight Catering Toilet

230 kilometres per hour 10,000 feet No 1 0 No No

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DESTINATIONS AIR CHATHAMS

Norfolk Island

Whakatāne

Whanganui Kāpiti Coast Wellington

Chatham Islands

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Christchurch

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Air Chathams is family owned and operated and is New Zealand’s largest privately owned airline, flying to some of the country’s best regional destinations. For 35 years we’ve been bringing New Zealand together.

Auckland

The airline that brings New Zealand together

The home of Air Chathams The Chatham Islands are New Zealand’s most eastern islands, located over 800 kilometres (500 miles) east of southern New Zealand. About 600 people live on the two largest islands, Chatham and Pitt, and we have officially been a part of New Zealand since 1842. The islands are volcanic in origin with diverse landscapes and a fascinating history, renowned for a bountiful seafood industry and conservation efforts protecting many rare and endangered species. Top tips before making a visit: • No passport is necessary when flying from New Zealand. • There are no mobile phone networks on the island - bring your phone for photographs and enjoy being unconnected for a while. • Electricity is standard for New Zealand at 240 volts AC, but can be unreliable so we recommend surge protection on your devices. • Pack clothing for variable weather. Think layers and protection from the sun, wind and rain. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended. • The Chatham Islands are 45 mins ahead of mainland New Zealand standard time.

SILKS AUDIT Chartered Accountants

Silks Audit providing audit and assurance services all over New Zealand.

• There are no shuttles or taxis. Transport from the airline needs to be arranged with your accommodation as will any rental vehicle prior to your visit. • Check with your accommodation provider about any specialist needs or allergies as the Chatham Islands often have limited supplies for specific requirements. • There is a small hospital with a resident doctor and nurses available. Air Chathams always recommends travel insurance for any air travel. • With deep family connections and local heritage, many places of interest are on private land and require the owner’s permission to visit. If you are unsure, please ask first.

Fly with us

and experience what the Chatham Islands has to offer.

Cameron Town & Talia Anderson-Town

Silks Audit Chartered Accountants 156 Guyton Street, Whanganui Phone. 06 345 8539 www.silksaudit.co.nz

Discover the Chatham Islands

YEARS + - EST 1984 -

YOUR CHATHAM ISLANDS ADVENTURE HOLIDAY WILL BE A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY. YOU WILL TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME, TO HOW LIFE USED TO BE. Over 800 kilometres from mainland New Zealand, the Chatham Islands are an intriguing and unique part of NZs cultural, geographic and natural history. Experience stunning scenery, wildlife, cultural treasures, intriguing history, a relaxed lifestyle, de electable seafood and a wide range of activities. Plan your Chatham Islands experience at www.chathamislands.co.nz

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