AIR CHATHAMS INFLIGHT MAGAZINE Air Chats SPRING ISSUE 13 2022
Whether it’s a family break, golf break or surfing a reef break... just take a break to Norfolk Island! Flying direct from Auckland with Air Chathams from September 1st. Visit airchathams.co.nz and book online today.
Spring is in the air early and Kiwis are ready to start exploring horizons new, familiar, and undiscovered as the days get warmer and longer.
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As New Zealand’s community airline it is a real joy to see families and friends re-connect across land and sea, and for this issue of Air Chats you will see we have re-energized our cover design - as they say, ‘new season, new look’ - but have the same collection of great articles from our favourite destinations and communities for you to enjoy.
Ka kite anō and safe travels!
Duane Emeny, Chief Operating Officer Air Chathams Ora Tatou Welcome
Kia
So whether you’re a regular flyer or this is your first time with Air Chathams, thank you for all your support and enjoy the journey from your family in the sky.
We are excited to be returning to a full pre-pandemic flight schedule for all Air Chathams scheduled routes, including a return to Norfolk Island with direct flights from Auckland kicking off on 1st September - a monumental effort after years of disruption. If you have never discovered Norfolk Island, then beautiful white sand beaches, incredible history tours and divine local cuisine await!
Te Kōanga - the te reo Māori word for spring - is a time for planting crops and observing plant growth cycles through the rise and fall of the moon, and for Kiwis at home and abroad it is a good time to let the seeds of travel and adventure planted in our minds in the winter blossom into our next adventure!
21 SPRING/SEPTEMBER/2022 AIR ContentsCHATS Air Chats is published by Plenty Limited on behalf of Air Chathams Limited. Copyright 2022 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). Publisher Plenty Limited - airchats@plenty.co.nz Editor/KaiwhakatikaTuhinga 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 Kāpiti Island. Photo Robyn RenoufEachatahuri.co.nzyearAirChathams carries more than 100,000 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. airchathams.co.nzmarketing@airchathams.co.nz fb.com/airchathams @airchathams
32 ECHOES OF THE PAST
ISLAND LIFE Kāpiti Island is a nature reserve like no other and now is the time to pay it a visit.
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38 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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A new Chatham Islands event highlights the prominent place the Islands play on the scientific stage.
GAME ON! The Downer New Zealand Masters Games are the perfect excuse for a Whanganui road trip.
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We all know Norfolk Island as a Pacific paradise - but it also has a spookier side worth exploring.
08 SPEAKINGSCIENTIFICALLY
04 EVENTS/NEWS
TOGETHERSTRONGER Helping your mates is the Kiwi thing to do, and at Air Chathams we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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The airline that brings New Zealand together. 28 BREWED IN THE BAY Meet Mata, a mighty little Bay of Plenty brewery who are big on flavour.
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Best Foods Comedy Gala 2022 Friday, 9 September The Civic
Join the very best of New Zealand’s craft, artisan and boutique producers at the Chocolate and Coffee Festival over two delicious days, where you can sample, purchase and explore the latest products and innovations - and give your tastebuds a real treat.
The Beer Spot brings your undisputed tappy place back to the Auckland CBD for The Beer Festival! It’s all about taking the fear out of beer and experiencing the joy and wonders of exciting and flavoursome beers, wines and ciders, all produced by local, independent producers. Meet the brewers and winemakers and discover their incredible talents and origin stories and learn how great beer gets its game!
The Princess Bride in ConcertAuckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Thursday, 6 October 2022 Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre www.apo.co.nz
The Best Foods Comedy Gala has moved to September and is now at The Civic! - so come celebrate Aotearoa’s biggest night of comedy in the city centre. Making it a night to remember will be Aotearoa’s selfproclaimed ‘humble’ king of comedy Tofiga Fepulea’i. Tofiga has graced screens and stages around the world with his unique brand of Pacific Island-style comedy, both as a solo act and as part of the legendary Laughing Samoans. The biggest-selling act at last year’s Comedy Festival, he has also brought down the house in massive rooms across NZ. Come watch him do it again at the Best Foods Comedy Gala this September. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.comedyfestival.co.nz
Photo Richard www.thebeerfestival.co.nzParsonson
The Chocolate and Coffee Festival
2022 Saturday 10 and Sunday 11, September
AUCKLANDEvents
The Cloud – Auckland Waterfront www.chocolatecoffeefestival.nz
The Beer Festival 2022 (R18) Friday 4 and Saturday 5, November Auckland CBD www.thebeerfestival.co.nz
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles - this has it all! Experience one of the most beloved films of all time as never before with the power of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra performing Mark Knopfler’s unforgettable score live in sync with the movie.
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Whanganui puts on the amazing Heritage Month in October and the focus this year is transport! Things kick off on October 8th with a huge river festival showing steamboats, the paddle steamer Waimarie, the MS Wairua and many other heritage vessels.
Saturday 8 to Sunday 30, October 2022
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.eventfinda.co.nz
Friday, 30 September and Saturday 1 October from 7pm Whakatāne Little Theatre
Explore the Kāpiti Coast for a running festival including a 21km half marathon, a 10km, and a 5km plus bring the kids for our 2km kids kick it 2k. Make the most of your stay by enjoying all that Kāpiti has to offer.
whanganuiheritagetrust.org.nz
Kāpiti Arts Trail 2022 5-6 and 12-13 November 10am – 4pm 2022 www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/arts-trail
Drop Dead Gorgeous - A Drag Murder Mystery
Kāpiti Half Marathon
The fun continues with a heritage vehicle parade through the city on Labour weekend, as well as a ‘parkup’ of heritage vehicles and an antique market - and be sure to visit Bushy Park for high tea and take in the museum He Awa Ora tour focusing on waka and exhibitions.
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COASTKĀPITIWHAKATĀNEWHANGANUI
The Les Femmes queens are back - and this time they are serving high drama in this dragged-out murder mystery romp like no other. Each night the queens will be joined by a special guest tasked with helping the audience solve a murder most foul. Expect ridiculous characters, hilarious twists and outrageous drama!
Sunday, 13 November 2022 www.kapitihalf.co.nz
Launched more than 20 years ago, the Kāpiti Arts Trail is a free annual event that sees artists across the district open their doors to share Kāpiti’s vibrant art scene with art lovers and the art curious alike.
Whanganui Heritage Month
Check the whanganuiheritagetrust.org.nzwebsite for the full programme of over 40 events.
The trial will run until March 2024.
Image source kwt.org.nz .................................................................................... 06 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022
The Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon is back! After twice being cancelled at the last minute due to COVID-19, the organisers of the Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon are determined their 40th-anniversary event next year will be one to remember. There will be finishers medals to mark the 40th, which will be held on Sunday, February 26, starting from Marine Gardens, Raumati Beach. You can find all the details and registration info at: www.kwt.org.nz
Attendees also had the opportunity to contribute to how the trial will work, including suggesting where designated parking or “virtual docking” sites for the scooters could be situated.
The e-scooters are available for use seven days a week, and during the trial the scooters will be operational from 6am to 10pm within parts of the Whanganui central business district and surrounding suburbs, improving transport options and connections for both leisure and commuting.
News
Beam to launch e-scooter operations in Whanganui Global micro mobility company Beam has launched a trial of e-scooters in Whanganui, with up to 100 e-scooters introduced across the city to provide a fun and fast way to explore all the great landmarks Whanganui has to offer.
The launch follows a successful Beam Safe Academy at the Whanganui River Markets, where attendees were able to trial the e-scooters and familiarise themselves with the safety features.
Company founders Delwyn and Gigi Tuanui say the Chathams produce some of the world’s best seafood and they have built a business model on sustainably harvesting it. The business processes its kai moana on the island, freezing in the flavour as soon as it is landed and sharing it with seafood lovers across New Zealand via it’s online store at chathamislandfood.com
Chatham Islands business takes home gold in food awards
Boost for Franklin’s environment
Predator Free Franklin Te Ara Hīkoi and Waiuku Zero Waste have received funding, and $10,000 has been allocated to continue research into the pekapeka-tou-roa long-tailed bat. The waterways protection fund has also been given a boost, including $13,000 allocated to the Papakura Stream, and Te Korowai o Papatūānuku, which continues to support biodiversity and water quality improvements along the Awakura and Awaruaiti streams, through pest control, fencing and planting was also a recipient.
More than $200,000 has been allocated by Auckland City Council to eight environmental projects under Franklin Local Board’s Infrastructure and Environmental Services work programme.
The Chatham Islands Food Co has won gold medals for its blue cod, pure pāua mince and pāua pies in this years Outstanding Food Producer Awards, making it the Supreme Champion 2022, and marking the first time in the award’s six-year history that seafood has taken out the top award.
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C.R.E.S.T, which protects shell barrier ecosystems along Franklin’s coast, with the Clarks, Rangiriri, Elletts, and Seagrove Trappers undertaking pest control to protect wading birds and their southern Manukau Harbour shell habitat received funding, and the budget is rounded off with $8,000 as the board’s contribution to the Manukau Harbour Forum, which brings nine boards together in efforts to restore the harbour’s mauri.
The Chatham Islands are famous for many things - seafood, a rich cultural history, and beautiful landscapes to name a few - but a new annual festival aims to put it back on the map where it belongs at the leading edge of scientific research.
events including talks, field visits and panels with world renowned scientists, covering everything from ecology, weather and geology to the future of our environment. And we use the phrase ‘back on the map’ carefully - because it is a little known fact that the Chatham Islands has been a focus for scientific research for nearly 150 years.
Now in its second year, the Chatham Islands Festival of Science aims to draw locals and visitors alike to come and enjoy science inspired
“In terms of western science from the 1840s and 1870s,” says Professor David Johnston of Massey University, “there has been much more happening on the Chatham Islands than people realise. It has been something of a global focus for science, right up till now, and quite a mix of scientific research, both in terms of on the Chathams because it is the most stable part of the continent we now know as Zealandia, and also because of its unique nature and of course the weather monitoring that goes on there.”
- Scientifically Speaking -
Scenes from the first Chatham Islands Festival of Science
08 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022 CHATHAM ISLANDS
Here’s a pop quiz. Which part of Aotearoa New Zealand hosted the first of our joint scientific expeditions with America and currently has earthquake and tsunami monitoring sites, instruments keeping an eye on the global nuclear test ban, a French research facility, and a rocket tracking station. If you guessed the Chatham Islands, then yay you, but if not, don’t feel too bad; and either way, keep on reading as we look at one of the Chatham’s best kept secrets.
“Currently on the Island we have NZ Geonet earthquake and tsunami monitoring equipment, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has a gauge out there, the French have a geodetic station, radiation is monitored as part of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and a whole lot of related instrumentation. In addition, from a commercial point of view, Rocket Lab has their tracking station out there, so there is a lot of scientific activity going on there, but then there has always been a long history of science on the Island.”
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Above: The station and observatory of the 1874 American expedition to Chatham Islands. Image source Cambridge University Library and Library Company of Philadelphia
One of the earliest and most prominent of these was an international effort to observe the transit of Venus - an occurrence which is historically of great scientific importance as they were used to gain the first realistic estimates of the size of the Solar System.
“In 1874 there was a global effort to study the transit,” Professor Johnston says, “and the French, the Germans, the British and the United States all set up observatories in Aotearoa New Zealand. Some went to Campbell or the Auckland Islands, but the Americans set up a station on the Chatham Islands and Queenstown, marking the first instance of bilateral scientific cooperation between our two countries - something that has continued to this day.”
Scenes from the first Chatham Islands Festival of Science 10 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022
As part of activities marking the 150th anniversary of the expedition in 2024, it is hoped an archaeological survey can be carried out on the site of the station at Port Hutt, and it is also hoped that a dig can be organised in the coming years. “For the Chatham Islanders,” says Professor Johnston, “the arrival of the expedition led to a lot of curiosity, but relations were good despite - or perhaps because ofthere being two very different worlds colliding.”
The establishment of the Festival of Science has proven to be perfect timing. “The Festival was initially conceived to make the most of a period in winter when visitor numbers were low, but it is also the opportunity to tell a story of the Islands that is usually overlooked. They are rightly famous for birds and crayfish and seafood, but this is an aspect of the Islands that almost no one knows about. We’ve had a great response from the scientific community, and we’re reaching out to the US Navy and the American Embassy. We’ve also had huge support from Otago Museum and others from quite a variety of different sectors - honey for example - and we want to keep linking new things into it. We’re basically trying to bring the world to a small island!”
Which is how it has been for many, many years, and long may it last.
“What makes it important is that as a fledgling nation it showed that we were coming of age and engaging in world science and being a part of the global science community. And it’s important to remember that the United States was also a young nation then - it was just after the American Civil War - and we were both emerging nations that were finding our feet internationally and dealing with the old worldwho of course weren’t always completely open to input from the new world!”
Here are a few key things Tourism Chatham Islands would like you to know before you arrive.
Private Land Access and Signage
Voluntary Visitor Levy - $25 per visitor
To assist enhancing the visitor experience, particularly infrastructure, we encourage all visitors to make a donation of $25 directly to Tourism Chatham Islands: ANZ Account: 06 0845 00796434 002 Your name Reference: Donation Thank you for your support.
Important Information for Visitors
Particulars:
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.
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.
Respecting the Local Kai Moana Resource
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.
togetherStronger Images portnicholson.co.nz
we love connecting Kiwis across the country. We’re a family owned and operated airline and we know the importance of being with family and friends, but we also know how important regional links throughout Aotearoa New Zealand are to our local businesses, whether it is vital supplies to remote communities, specialists and business people who need to get around the country, or industries that need to get their products to market, nationally or around the world. And those regional links have never been more important than throughout the trying times of the pandemic, when a lot of livelihoods depended on being able to think outside of the box, work smart as well as hard, and keep locals in jobs.
AT AIR CHATHAMS
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Port Nicholson Fisheries has been catching live crayfish (known internationally as rock lobster) from the waters around New Zealand for over 50 years. The company is 100% owned by Māori and has grown to become the country’s secondlargest exporter of live lobster, embodying the traditional values of authenticity, responsible harvesting of seafood resources, and deep respect for our communities, and these long-held values underpin their investment in technology and processing, delivering the highest quality product for their customers and a better future for generations to come.
We’re grateful to all those that have supported us over the last two years - and really proud to have been able to play a part in supporting others; helping mates is a Kiwi thing, and it’s been an honour to be able to help our friends at Port Nicholson Fisheries keep on keeping on.
“The logistics of moving our cray off Chatham Island during this time - as in the past - was assisted greatly by Vinessa Tuuta and her team in the Air Chathams office, as well as Joe Breeze and his ground crew out at the airport. They were always just a phone call away and always had a really can-do attitude. This was very reassuring, and it meant there was never a time that we thought, ‘Uh oh, we’re in trouble’ - instead it was just a matter of rolling with the punches and working through each issue as it came at us.”
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“There was just so much uncertainty due to the newness of the pandemic,” says Shannon Peni, Chatham Islands Area Manager for Port Nicholson Fisheries, “and we were really unsure of what we were dealing with. We had crayfish in holding pots and both of our depots were full, so our biggest challenge was trying to stay on the front foot and move our product as fast as we could before other unforeseen circumstances closed our doors completely.”
“And Air Chathams really came to the party for us. Not only were they moving our product directly off the Chatham Islands, but due to Air New Zealand not having regular flights nationally we used utilised
Working on a crayfishing boat is genuinely hard yakka, but the work doesn’t stop when you return to port; then the catch has to be sorted and put into ‘fly bins’ ready to be flown out to the Asian destinations that are the majority of Port Nicholson Fisheries business. And with ports closed and airlines grounded under COVID-19 restrictions, that business was suddenly on decidedly shaky ground.
Air Chathams to move our product within New Zealand as well. This mutual support has meant our relationship has only grown stronger. Vinessa and the team have been key here on the Island for logistics on all Air Chatham flights, and working closely together has proved to be beneficial to both parties, as we can help her out if she needs cargo or we can help her out if she needs freight coming back due to unforeseen circumstances. Knowing her and the team were there, meant we knew we were going to get through whatever COVID threw at us!” grateful to all those that have supported us over the last two years and really proud to have been able to play a part in supporting others
We’re
Images Mark Hones Operations Manager Port Nicholson Fisheries 14 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING Join online today we’llairchathams.co.nzatandkeepyouflapping! Need a flying fix? Are you more bird than human? Feel the urge to migrate somewhere warmer? Don’t feel grounded this winter! Fly further and more often with Green Miles, the Air Chathams frequent flyer program.
Port Nicholson Fisheries has been catching live crayfish from the waters around New Zealand for over 50 years
“Being island based, as an airline we are quite in tune with the challenges faced by businesses and residents here. As the community, by its nature, is closely connected we know that by helping out others where we can, we are effectively helping ourselves.”
While there are still challenges on the horizon, Port Nicholson Fisheries feel that they have weathered the worst of the storm and are looking forward to a bit more certainty - in as much as that is possible when you make your living on the high seas!
15AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022 PlanningSubdivisionsand Engineering Wastewater Consents Aerial Photography and Mapping Farm CanterburyMapping0800 BLG 123 Marlborough 0800 BLG 123 Visit blg.co.nz = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Let’s unlock the potential in your property 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. Consult our experts to ensure your project gets off on the right foot. AndrewContact Ledingham Call 03 339 0401 Email andrew.l@blg.nz
“Our future looks good,” says Shannon, “all of our seven depots are still operating, and our fishermen are still fishing, so we must be winning. Our sellers keep us updated on a regular basis and our boss Mark Hones keeps his finger on the pulse for any world or national events that may affect business. We are a really proactive company so if changes are needed to be implemented, we’ll do it.”
And Air Chathams will be there to help them do just that.
Vinessa, who is Air Chathams’ Office Manager on Chatham Island, says working with Port Nicholson has been great and it’s been a pleasure to help out. “If I get a phone call at 4am from a fisherman to tell me they cannot lift their crayfish for the morning flight because of a breakdown or rough seas,” she says, “then my first call out is to Shannon, knowing that they will do their utmost to make it happen to fill the space that is suddenly availableand that cooperation goes both ways.”
16 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022 KĀPITI COAST
Kāpiti Island Nature Tours to land there as it became a centre for flax trade. Captain James Cook named Kāpiti ‘Entry Island’ because of its proximity to Cook Strait, and the commercial whalers arrived in the early 1800s, establishing a settlement of some 2000 people, including Australian and American crews using long boats launched from the Islands shores to hunt for Humpback and Southern Right whales. They processed the meat in large ‘blubber pots’, some of which still remain on the Island. During the 1850s much of the land was cleared for farming, and sheep, goats, pigs, deer, cats, and dogs were introduced. Whale numbers declined precipitously, and not long after that the island was given over to farming.
Kāpiti Island is not just one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest and most important nature reserves, it is also a place rich in human history - and the whanau at Waiorua Bay to the north of the island, whose ancestors arrived there with Te Rauparaha in the 1820s, have been helping Kiwis explore this stunning slice of paradise for generations. It’s hard to believe when visiting Kāpiti Island today, a serene nature reserve and pest free bird sanctuary just 5km off the Kāpiti Coast, that at many times throughout history it has been a hustling, bustling hive of activity. People have lived there for over 800 years, and from the 1830s to the 1860s Te Rauparaha encouraged European ships
A serene nature reserve and pest free bird sanctuary just 5km off the Kāpiti Coast
Island Life Images
Of a total of 1965 hectares, local tangata whenua together kept just 13 hectares around Waiorua Bay - largely thanks to the formidable efforts of family matriarch, Utauta Parata - and this is where the Barrett family lodge is located today, forming the focus for Kāpiti Island Nature Tours.
AucklandCoast 17AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022
In 1897 New Zealand’s Prime Minister Richard Seddon introduced a bill to Parliament in order to acquire Kāpiti Island ‘to conserve the flora and fauna of the Island’. Had it not been for this early protection and the translocations to Kāpiti Island, it is likely that the little spotted kiwi may have become extinct.
By the late 1800’s naturalists, concerned about declining native bird species due to introduced pests such as stoats, identified Kāpiti Island as a future nature reserve, and kiwi were translocated to the island from 1890.
“Kāpiti Island is like an amazing microcosm of Aotearoa’s history right in one little place,” says Danielle Barrett of Kāpiti Island Nature Tours, “there is Māori history going right back to the beginning of human life in Aotearoa, then the first encounters with Europeans and the whole environmental journey of New Zealand, from whaling to farming and battles in between. So in many ways a trip around Kāpiti Island is a glimpse into the history of the whole country.” Kāpiti
It really is a nature lovers dream come true
“We often hear from people that they have been looking out at the Island or driving past it for years and have always meant to get across to it and see what it is really all about, but there are some great walking tracks that are not too difficult and of course the amazing flora and fauna.”
eradication programme in the 1980’s (the world’s largest at the time) Kāpiti Island is now one of the nation’s most important sites for bird recovery. It is also home to thriving populations of red-fronted parakeets, North Island robins, bellbirds, and saddlebacks and is a major breeding site for seabirds. In April 2005, the critically endangered short-tailed bat was introduced to the island from a threatened population in the Tararuas, offering this species a separate, safer habitat. Add geckos, penguins and seals into the mix and it really is a nature lovers dream come true. The Island’s walks are sublime, with the constant soundtrack of birdsong: try the Wilkinson Track that takes you along the coastline, through a wetland with a boardwalk, and uphill to the island’s summit Tuteremoana for spectacular views; or for a more gentle option explore the coastal walk at Waiorua Bay. As a result of years of conservation efforts Kāpiti Island is blessed with an abundance of native and endangered species. These include takahe, North Island kōkako, brown teal, stitchbird (hihi), North Island saddleback (tieke), tomtit (miromiro), fantail (piwakawaka), morepork (ruru), weka and North Island robin (toutouwai). Brown and little spotted kiwi were released on the island between 1890 and 1910, and it is now a stronghold for the latter of these. Following a successful pest
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Kāpiti Island is now one of the nation’s most important sites for bird recovery 19AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022 Relax Unwind Indulge Atahuri awaits Kapiti’s hidden secret — Atahuri offering luxurious boutique accommodation atahuri.co.nz
20 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022 KāpitiCoastNZ .com
First held in Whanganui in 1989 with more than 1400 people taking part in 31 sports, the Masters Games have since grown in popularity, attracting participants from all over New Zealand and around the world. Since 1992 the Games have alternated annually between Dunedin and Whanganui and have become an integral part of those cities’ sporting and social calendars, largely driven by massive pools of locals who put their heart and soul into making it a great experience.
& Whanganui & Partners 21AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING WHANGANUI2022
Image supplied by Zealand Masters Games
ON!GAME
New
IT’S THE LARGEST ANNUAL MASTERS MULTISPORT EVENT IN NEW ZEALAND and it’s just around the corner - so whether you’re an ex-pro getting your mojo back or a bunch of mates giving it a go, pencil the Downer New Zealand Masters Games into your diary, start training, and get ready for a great Whanganui getaway.
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The 2023 Downer New Zealand Masters Games - the 34th event - is being held in Whanganui from 3rd to the 12th February, and Games Manager Heather Cox says they aim to unite people and communities through sport and “Whanganuiplay.is a city with a passion for sports, as you can tell by the number of top-notch venues we have for the size of Whanganui’s population,” Heather says. “With over 55 sports and activities from stair-racing to jigsaw puzzling, football to pickleball or mountain biking to rowing, there is something for everyone aged 20 to triple digits. It’s our vision to see more people playing longer and we’re organising a worldclass multisport event to help achieve that.”
First held in Whanganui in 1989 with more than 1400 people taking part in 31 sports
“The Downer New Zealand Masters Games turns the city into the ultimate playground for Masters athletes and their supporters, but the fun doesn’t stop when the whistle blows! We invite participants, officials, supporters and the Whanganui community to keep playing at the Games Village. Set in the heart of the city on the forecourt of the architecturally admired War Memorial Centre, it’s a place to relax, refuel, and reconnect with mates new and old.”
The Games Village will host ten days and nights of entertainment with food trucks, a bar, coffee cart and plenty of comfortable shady seating to chill out and connect with others between activities. It’s also the spot to check in, register for additional events, grab some merchandise, and have your medals engraved. “Whanganui is a city with a passion for sports” 24 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022 1a Taupo Quay, Whanganui | ph: 06 347 1863 | em: info@waimarie.co.nz Paddle Steamer Waimarie Cruising on the scenic Whanganui River. See our website to book a cruise on New Zealand’s only coal fired paddle steamer. Available for weddings, work functions, Christmas parties, and special occasions. Contact us at 0800 STEAMER to discuss your requirements. www.waimarie.co.nz
vest
“The Whanganui River is the heart of our city and region, and our historic riverboats, the Waimarie and Wairua, offer cruises packed full of beautiful scenery and fascinating history, while the Whanganui River Markets are a must-visit for treats and crafts and connections you’ll always remember.” taking lead on the Stays vests, by including the Stays Fresh Technology. the fresh and durable gives the the
And for those members of the family who are not keen to take to the field or crowd the sidelines, Whanganui has plenty to keep you busy.
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“We have so many great attractions in Whanganui, visitors are guaranteed to find something to perfectly fit their interests – or to try exciting new experiences they might not have anticipated.”
“The Masters Games has become an integral feature of our events calendar and our community takes pride in having the Games here,” Paul says.
Paul Chaplow, Strategic Lead - Visitor Industries at Whanganui and Partners, the city’s economic development agency, says that hosting the Masters Games is an opportunity the locals embrace with excitement and enthusiasm - and they love the opportunity to showcase Whanganui to visitors.
THE PACE • Running Vest • Trail, Ultra Running • Unisex • NDM™ Vest + NBCC 2022 RE- ENGINEERED RE-SHAPED RE-IMAGINED PACE
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A journey up the Whanganui River Road and a jet boat ride to the Bridge to Nowhere is also an incredible experience, and canoeing or kayaking down the river is a favourite, as is walking or cycling around the Whanganui River’s many pathways and bridges.
So dust off your running shoes or start practicing your puzzling for the Downer New Zealand Masters Games. Entries open from 1 September for individuals and teams and you can find out what’s on offer, and register, at nzmg.com.
Kai Iwi beach Whanganui
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Whanganui’s restaurants and cafes. Award-winning Maria Place will have you hooked as soon as you walk in the door. Frank Bar + Eatery’s cocktails are works of art, and the gin menu at the Rutland Arms Inn satisfies with every sip! The Citadel at Castlecliff Beach feels like a home away from home and picking up fresh gourmet fish and chips from Sea Dogs Galley at Kai Iwi Beach Holiday Park delivers comfort food heaven. In the city meanwhile, Honest Kitchen is a must-visit for picnic lovers - select a feast then wander the riverside or sit in one of Whanganui’s leafy havens to enjoy.”
“No visit to Whanganui is complete without an iconic shot from Durie Hill’s scenic lookout,” Paul says. “This is a delightful heritage experience and uniquely Whanganui. The elevator is New Zealand’s only public transport elevator and can be reached through a 205-metre long tunnel. Once at the top, visitors can climb the lookout tower for breath-taking views of the city and mountains - and the even more energetic can climb the 176 steps to the top of Durie Hill Tower for unrivalled views!
And remember, Air Chathams can get you, the team and your family and supporters there from all over New Zealand.
Hire a canoe and go on an epic guided river journey. Local Tip #20 Scan to view @GOINGROGUENEWZEALAND
28 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022 WHAKATĀNE
Mata’s beers, originally home-brewed in the kitchen in time-honoured Kiwi fashion, also set out to be a statement of the brand’s unique identity: two of their first offerings were a honey-infused Manuka Golden Ale and the award-winning Taniwha, a hāngi-inspired Kiwi spin on a traditional German smoked beer. Both went down a treat with the public - and marked something of a milestone in a craft beer industry that generally preferred to emulate Europe.
The Mata story begins in 2005, in Kawerau, when owner Tammy Viitakangas - freshly inspired by travels in Europe - decided that what the New Zealand beer scene needed was to take a bit of a walk on the wild side. Lagers were fine, but the diversity of beers she’s seen in Belgium had got her thinking. “For me the inspiration was really going overseas - and probably a bit of madness!” Tammy says. “In a place like Belgium there is just so many different styles and really varied flavours, and when I got back home to New Zealand I had a look at the industry and in those days the craft beer side of things was really in its infancy. Most people were just trying to get consistent IPAs and the like, and I thought there was room for something a bit uniquely Kiwi. At that time the more well-known beers all had foreign, European names so from the get-go we wanted to have a local identity: Mata means ‘face’ or ‘edge’ as in mountains, and our logo resembles mountain ranges, so it better reflects where we’re from.”
Soon the little company was growing, and some second-hand brewing equipment purchased out of a Wellington shed meant production could be ramped up. “It actually turned out to be what remained of Wellington’s first microbrewery,” Tammy says, “and we had no idea if it would work when it was plugged in! These days equipment like that would be snapped up, but in those days no one really wanted used brewing gear and it had been sitting unused for quite some time. It was a bit of a risk!” But taking risks is pretty much par for the course in the brew business - and it paid off. Soon Mata was producing an award-winning line of brews Closed borders, supply disruptions, lockdowns; you name it, COVID has thrown it at us but you just can’t keep a good thing down, and Whakatāne’s Mata Brewery is a very good thing!
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After an extensive search Mata relocated to its new home in Whakatāne, complete with brewery and tasting room serving some of the world’s best pizza. “The new premises have made a huge difference to our business,” says Tammy. “Being able to interact with customers means we can get to know them and see how people enjoy our creations. We wouldn’t be here without our locals, and we wanted to create a space where everyone could feel comfortable. Come along in your gumboots or turn up in a suit, all are welcome, and we have local musicians and events.”
“The Kiwi palette has formaturedmassivelyandit’sanexcitingtimeKiwibrewing”
Tammy Viitakangas. Photo supplied.
Tammy even drew inspiration from her father’s Finnish roots by brewing a Sahti, an ancient Finnish style traditionally made with juniper twigs, but in Mata’s take on it, mānuka tips were substituted to blend with spicy rye malts and juniper berries. By 2017, Mata had outgrown its old premises, needing more space to expand but also hankering after a way to connect to its customer base. “Our whole journey has been made possible by the support we’ve had from customers,” Tammy says, “and while online sales are vital, we really wanted to have a tasting room where we could connect with people.”
that were on the leading edge of the great Kiwi craft beer boom. And they really did have a very uniquely Kiwi take on it; their Kawerau base was cobbled together out of three separate shopfronts – a dairy, a menswear shop and a butchery – with customer access through a decidedly understated back door! But if their brewery was understated, their beer was larger than life. Kiwi flavours abounded and the beer styles became ever-more diverse.
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So, for the avid home brewers and beer dreamers throughout the land, what is Tammy’s advice for making it a reality. “If you are creating a new beer you have to know how you want it to taste and smell, you’ve got to have that in your head, and then you have to figure out how to achieve that. And achieve it consistently. But most of all you’ve got to love it. It’s as simple as that!”
Come along in your gumboots or turn up in a suit, all are welcome
Par 70, 6009m course just 10 minutes from town near the airport. Golf Links Rd, Paroa ph. 07 308 8117 www.whakatanegolf.com
“Over time it has become more and more challenging for craft beers to get supermarket shelf space and compete with the big players on price - having this outlet and direct connection to our customers is probably the best thing we ever did as a brewery.”
whakatanegolfclub@gmail.com
WHAKATANE GOLF CLUB WHAKATANE GOLF CLUB 181
30 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022
Relax afterwards at our lounge bar and restaurant/cafe with tasty home-made snacks and meals.
With all the day-to-day tribulations of brewing - as well as the global pandemic thrown into the mix! - the Mata journey has certainly had its ups and downs. “Nearly every day we wonder why we do it!” Tammy says. “But it’s a really dynamic industry now. Styles are changing, consumers are a lot more adventurous - the Kiwi palette has massively matured - and it’s an exciting time for Kiwi brewing.”
With fast running greens and lush, forgiving fairways, the course offers golfers of all levels a challenging but rewarding 18 holes.
Port Ōhope REWIND | CONNECT | RESET Summer like this?
Quite possibly one of the most haunted places on earth 32 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022 NORFOLK ISLAND
AH NORFOLK ISLAND; stunningly picturesque, unspoilt and serene, a little slice of paradise floating in the pure blue Pacific Ocean. And also quite possibly one of the most haunted places on earth. There may be no hard and fast scientific way of measuring that last claim, but let’s put it this way: reliable sources say that up to half of the island’s population of 2,169 people have had some form of encounter with what they believe to be a ghost, so it would seem that Norfolk Island certainly punches above its weight when it comes to things that go bump in the night.
PASTOFECHOESTHE
Newspapers have been reporting on ghostly goings on since before WW2, books have been written about the ghosts of Norfolk Island, podcasts made, and even TV shows created about paranormal investigations there. Surely it can’t all be in our imaginations.
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Images Norfolk Island Tourism
The Second Settlement from 1825 (as opposed to the First Settlement, which was largely about securing shipping materials), was a penal colony that took Sydney’s repeat offenders and strove to teach them a lesson once and for all. The wretched convicts of this Settlement suffered under a series of brutish commanders that were largely responsible for giving the colonies’ prisons their grisly reputations.
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For Liz McCoy, a historian, tour guide and descendant of Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian partners, there are many reasons for this - and, as someone who has been organising guided tours of the Kingston area for over 20 years, Liz knows her stuff. “What we call the Second Settlement was absolutely brutal,” Liz says. “Its capital was Kingston and it was such a horrid place that to the convicts, death was a better option; they thought that if they moved on to the next life it could only be better than what they were going through. With all that anguish in the air, it’s no surprise that something remains.”
The Gaol (jail) housed convicts who resisted the penal colony’s harsh discipline, and who were sentenced to working on chain gangs, to solitary confinement, or to death. Other prisoners were housed in the Prisoners’ Barracks.
Take the legend of Bloody Bridge for example. It is often said that Norfolk Island was built on blood, sweat and tears, and in the case of this bridge found in Kingston at the eastern end of Quality Row, it is literally true. The legend goes that during the construction of the bridge, a particularly nasty overseer worked his gang of laborer’s so harshly that one of them embedded a pickaxe in his skull. To conceal their crime the workers quickly walled up the body in the bridge’s structure - and thought they had gotten away with it until the new gang boss noticed blood seeping from the damp mortar!
This is history writ large, and there are several guided tours offered on the Island to explore it and the ghostly goings on that are reported to be associated with it. But make no mistake, this is no case of holding hands in the dark and asking if anyone is there; there is a lot of history - and a lot of science - involved.
Bloody Bridge - Despite its grim name and gruesome history, it is exceedingly picturesque and is set in one of the island’s most enchanting spots
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“The history of this area really is stranger than fiction,” Liz says. “Kingston and Arthur’s Vale had been the hub of all settlements here on the Island - from the Polynesian visitors, the First and Second Settlements, the Pitcairn Islanders, and through to the living museum it is today, which is said to have the best collection of originally designed Georgian Buildings, all in one street, in the Southern Hemisphere. The Kingston burial ground hosts monuments dating back to 1794, the only known monuments for executed convicts, children of the Bounty Mutineers, through to our modern-day burials, so Kingston certainly has some stories to tell.”
One common experience has been perfectly functional electronic devices that, well, fail to function at all, or produce images containing things that were not seen with the human eye when the shutter was clicked.
To find out more about tours focusing on the Island’s haunted past and history; go to encountersnorfolkisland.com.au/stories/ghostly-tofindonethatfitsforyou.
“It’s mostly about immersing yourself in the Island’s history,” Liz says, “and getting away from the pages of books and into the actual spaces to hear about the lives that were lived there. Come with an open mind - and expect anything and everything!”
“We start out by getting a feel for the place and hearing it’s history,” Liz says, “then use instruments to check for electro-magnetic fields, temperature changes, motion, electronic voice phenomenon, frequency scanners - we don’t try to summon the Devil! We’re all taught to fear the unknown, but then again so many of us feel that we have someone watching over us, so I think a lot more people are open to how the universe might work that we care to admit. It’s about being open to things. We get skeptics on our tours - and they are usually the ones that come up at the end really shocked about what they have experienced!”
“Come with an open mind and expect anything and everything!”
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Saab 340 Our Swedish princess Speed 470 kilometres per hour Max Altitude 25,000 feet Pressurised Cabin Yes No. of Pilots 2 No. of Flight Attendants 1 No. of Seats 34 Inflight Catering Available Toilet Yes ATR 72 Our newest regional airliner Speed 500 kilometres per hour Max Altitude 25,000 feet Pressurised Cabin Yes No. of Pilots 2 No. of Flight Attendants 2 No. of Seats 68 Inflight Catering Available Toilet Yes AIRCRAFT AIR CHATHAMS Air Chathams has a fleet of 11 aircraft, ranging from single-engine light planes to turbo-prop 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. Our fleet 38 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022
Cessna 206 The Chatham Islands workhorse Speed 230 kilometres per hour Max Altitude 10,000 feet Pressurised Cabin No No. of Pilots 1 No. of Flight Attendants 0 No. of Seats 5 Inflight Catering No Toilet No Fairchild Metroliner Safe, fast, and efficient commuter aircraft Speed 450 kilometres per hour Max Altitude 25,000 feet Pressurised Cabin Yes No. of Pilots 2 No. of Flight Attendants 0 No. of Seats 18 Inflight Catering Limited Toilet No Douglas DC-3 Our pride and joy. This remarkable aircraft has certainly ‘been there and done that’. Speed 240 kilometres per hour Max Altitude 10,000 feet Pressurised Cabin No No. of Pilots 2 No. of Flight Attendants 1 No. of Seats 28 Inflight Catering Available Toilet Yes 39AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022
Auckland Whakatāne Kāpiti Coast ChathamIslandsChristchurch Wellington NorfolkWhanganuiIslandThe airline that brings New togetherZealand P R OUDLY S E R VING R E G I O N LA891ECNISZN 4 . DESTINATIONS AIR CHATHAMS 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 more than 35 years we’ve been bringing New Zealand together. 40 AIRCHATHAMS.CO.NZ // SPRING 2022
Top tips before making a visit:
• Check with your accommodation provider about any specialist needs or allergies as the Chatham Islands often have limited supplies for specific requirements.
• The Chatham Islands are 45 mins ahead of mainland New Zealand standard time.
The home of Air Chathams
• 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.
• Pack clothing for variable weather. Think layers and protection from the sun, wind and rain. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
airchats@plenty.co.nz
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.
We’re
• No passport is necessary when flying from New Zealand.
Air Chathams brings New Zealand together! the country’s largest privately owned airline, flying to some of New Zealand’s best regional destinations, and our inflight magazine Air Chats is a great way to build your brand and your business. We’d love to have you on board, so get in touch to find out about advertising - and come fly with us.
• 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.
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.
• Electricity is standard for New Zealand at 240 volts AC, but can be unreliable so we recommend surge protection on your devices.
From the ancient, weathered beauty of nature reserves that host some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife, to the high red cliffs, white sand beaches, and clear waters, there’s a different view around every corner.
Visit airchathams.co.nz and book your flights today. PROU DLY NE W ZE AL AND OWNED AN D OPER ATED Explore the unique ancestral cultures, environment, and way of life on the Chatham Islands with its own proud airline. Discover your wild side with Air Chathams! You will take a step back in time, to how life used to be and how life should be!
