Air Chats Autumn 2023

Air Chats

AIR CHATHAMS INFLIGHT MAGAZINE

After lockdowns and rain, rain, rain, Kiwis are keen to shake off the cabin fever and get out and aboutand our inflight magazine is the perfect way to get your brand in front of that pent up demand!

Air Chats is a premium inflight magazine with unique, quality content for a great shelf life and ‘take me home’ appeal. It reaches a captive, desirable audience of visitors and locals and is free for passengers and airport visitors to take away for even greater market penetration.

Get your business in the seat pockets of 140 Air Chathams flights a week and in front of more than 100,000 of our passengers each year - and make them your customers.

Or call Andy +64 27 932 5515

Give us a call and be a part of our next issue now.

Kia ora tātou

Welcome

While it has been an incredible summer for the aviation and wider travel industry as a whole, clearly the weather has not been what any of us would have wished and our thoughts go out to all those up and down the country who have been affected. It has however been great to see the surge in demand from Kiwis to get out and about around Aotearoa and internationally, and our flights have been filling up and our team working harder than ever to deliver the kind of service our family airline has built a reputation for.

Not only have our scheduled flights been in demand but the demand for private charters has jumped as well, with lots of exciting flights into destinations like Queenstown, Kerikeri, Dunedin, Napier and more. Sometimes the best way to get your work group or whānau gathering around the country at the time you want to fly is by chartering one of our versatile fleet - because connecting Kiwis is what we do!

The big news for this quarter has been the launch of our brand new website! The goal was to design a new site that streamlined the user experience whilst providing a clean and fresh platform to easily access the most important features like flight bookings, Multi-Pass, online check-in, our Green Miles loyalty programme, dynamic flight schedules, and real-time cargo tracking just to name a few!

Alongside that development our airline has taken a huge step in our sustainability journey by partnering with kiwi business CarbonClick to implement a carbon offset option in the flight booking process, with all money going to highly scrutinized offset optionswith a kiwi flavour - alongside community projects including some on the beautiful Chatham Islands. We are really proud to have taken this step and look forward to delivering more in this area in the future.

In this Autumn issue of Air Chats, you will see we’ve gone to great efforts to bring you some rich storytelling sourced from our destinations to keep you entertained on your Air Chathams flight.

So buckle up and immerse yourself in some great Kiwi tales - and once again thank you for supporting us! He mihi aroha ki a koe mo to tautoko i to maatau waka rererangi.

Ka kite anō and safe travels!

Duane Emeny, Chief Operating Officer Air Chathams

to the Autumn edition of our Air Chats magazineand a very happy New Year to our customers old and new for 2023!

Each year Air Chathams 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.

marketing@airchathams.co.nz

airchathams.co.nz

fb.com/airchathams

@airchathams

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

The Pyramid / Tarakoikoia, a small island south of Pitt Island in the Chatham Islands.

Image by Dave Shaw - The Hunters Club / South Seas Spearo

Air Chats is published by Plenty Limited on behalf of Air Chathams Limited. Copyright 2023 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).

08

The airline that brings New Zealand together.

26

SOUTH SEAS SPEARO

TV producer and cameraman Dave Shaw takes us along on a Chatham Islands fishing trip.

32

ON YA BIKE

Whakatāne is the perfect destination for a family cycling getaway.

UNIQUELY NORFOLK

They do things differently on Norfolk Island - and we’re loving it!

CRUISING THE COAST

There’s so much to discover on the Kāpiti Coast - the only hard part is where to start.

38

WAY OUT WEST

Escape the City of Sails for a look into the rough and tumble past of the Waitākere Ranges. 14

We’re proud to inspire some of our youngest fisherfolk - here’s why. 21 LA

Brian and Tracy Hawker are breathing new life into a Whanganui icon.

43

GONE FISHING

46

OUR FLEET

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

48

DESTINATIONS

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

News

& Events

WHANGANUI

Artists Open Studios Whanganui

March 25th - April 2nd

Whanganui is quickly establishing itself as the eclectic arts capital of Aotearoa New Zealand and there is no better evidence of this than Artists Open Studios. Out from under the cloud of COVID restrictions, the district’s creatives are once again opening the doors to their studios and offering a glimpse of what goes on in the creative mind. As one of the largest, longest running and most diverse artist trails in the country, it is an incredible opportunity to meet some of New Zealand’s leading and emerging artists in a huge variety of artistic mediums, see them in action and purchase some of their work.

Image: This Way by Adele Dubarry (#91). Photographed by Steve Caudwell

Whanganui’s Vinyl Room is a musical treasure trove

The newest addition to Whanganui’s Rutland Street is a one-stop-shop for music lovers and vinyl collectors alike. The Vinyl Room is owned by former teacher Ron Fisher, who now sells new and used records, compact discs and cassettes, with a dedicated Kiwi artists section to boot! The store is open from Wednesday to Saturday, and is another great reason to check out the River City!

Whanganui Pride Party

Saturday, 11 March 6:30pm till 1:00am Springvale Stadium, 222 London Street, Whanganui Tickets $25pp available on EventFinder or at the i-Site Visitors Centre on Taupo Quay.

Hosted by Miss Ribena and featuring The Glamaphones, a 40-strong Queer Choir from Wellington, Whanganui’s Pride Party will also feature performances by Rhubarb Rouge, Medulla Oblongata and two of Whanganui’s own - Miss Kerry Berry and Pinkie Promise. Make sure you get your ticket early as you don’t want to miss the sequins, glitter, rainbows and fabulousness!

50 Golden Years of Musicals

Tuesday, 11 April at 7:30pm and Wednesday, 12 April at 7:30pm

Southward Theatre, Otaihanga Rd, Otaihanga, Paraparaumu Tickers from eventfinda.co.nz

Pioneers of the New Zealand entertainment industry Stewart and Tricia Macpherson will celebrate 50 golden years in 2023, and to mark this amazing milestone they will present a show-stopping journey through their greatest musical triumphs. Featuring superb singers and musicians, 50 Golden Years of Musicals will give a rare insight into the lives and loves of New Zealand’s, and possibly the world’s, longest-serving promoter duo.

Chathams Islands Day Out

Saturday, 4 March 11:30am to 4:30pm. At the ‘Den’. See Chatham Islands Day Out on Facebook for more info

A fantastic annual event for the Chatham Island’s Community! From small to large market stalls, art, folk music, outdoor games and entertainment, and a village’s worth of authentic hospitality: it doesn’t get any more real than this!

Locals and visitors from all corners of the world are welcome and the event is proudly supported by Air Chathams.

Local Wild Food Festival Weekend

Friday 24th March - Wild Food Feasting

Saturday 25th March - Local Wild Food Festival incl. Wild Food Challenge

Whakatāne’s Local Wild Food Challenge returns in 2023 but this time it’s bigger and better than before. Previously known as the Local Wild Food Challenge, the new Festival will encompass multiple events across the weekend, but the challenge element returns and we encourage foodies to enter the competition by preparing a wild food dish and present it for judging on the day. The kids cooking competition will also return with a number of prizes up for grabs for both the adult and children’s categories.

Molly Morpeth Canaday Painting and Drawing Award

Till 19 March at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi – the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre.

The highly anticipated Molly Morpeth Canaday Painting and Drawing Award has once again drawn in a broad cross section of contemporary painting and drawing from around the country. This year’s finalists are currently on display in the accompanying exhibition in a fantastic feast for the eyes that runs till 19 March.

Image courtesy of Chathams Islands Day Out 2023

THROUGH THE LENS THROUGH THE LENS

With Lesley Whyte

Point Munning, located at the north eastern top of the Chatham Island, never fails to deliver for wild life photographers. After climbing over the stile, it is a short walk to view the amazing large rookery of New Zealand fur seals; some swimming, some sunning themselves and then there are the males vying for dominancy to grow their harems. We’re not talking about just a few seals, we’re talking dozens and dozens of fur seals of all ages scattered throughout the pool - the most precious ones are the pups of all ages. Going back to the 1800’s the Chatham Island’s NZ fur seals were hunted and brought to near extinction. What ever you do, allow extra time to just sit and watch the antics of these gorgeous creatures.

SEAS SPEAROSouth

Dave Shaw is a television producer, cameraman and editor, and one of the movers and shakers behind the hugely successful The Hunters Club show. Now in its ninth season, The Club showcases epic outdoor adventures throughout New Zealand’s backcountry wilderness regions, and now a new show - South Seas Spearo - will be following a team of fanatical fin-addicts on extreme spear fishing expeditions.

So how did Dave manage to land what many Kiwi blokes would consider to be the best job in the world? “I’ve been filming for close to 25 years,” he says. “What was once a hobby became a career, and I’ve developed a bit of a niche for filming outdoors action - it’s challenging to capture well, but incredibly satisfying when it all comes together. The team and I are currently planning the next couple of seasons at the moment, there’s talk of heading to Alaska, Darwin, the Azores and Norway - certainly no shortage of epic locations to spear a fish!”

There also seems to be no shortage of epic challenges for Dave and the team. “The ultimate, and most dangerous, bucket list fish is definitely the Swordfish,” he says. “Only a handful have ever been speared and landed, and half of those who’ve managed to put a spear in them have paid the ultimate price of being speared by the Swordfish itself!”

Which, we can all agree, is a bad day at the office! So let’s leave the thought of being impaled by a giant fish aside and focus on a good day in the office for Dave as he talks us through his involvement with the Chatham Islands.

FOR MOST NZERS,

the Chathams is the type of place they’re lucky to visit just once in their lives. I’d been fortunate enough to spend time on the Island during filming for the third season of The Hunters Club, and on the very last night of that memorable mission I recall a bloke at the pub telling me that for my next visit I needed to skip the ‘big smoke’ of Waitangi and head down to Pitt Island, as that’s where the real action was.

Five years later, and I found myself once more in the Waitangi pub, this time on the first evening of a week-long trip, which would encompass a few days on Pitt Island as promised. We’d once again been filming for The Hunters Club, but also a new series focused on spearfishing called South Seas Spearo.

With a big steam to Pitt planned for the following morning (and knowing full well the proclivity for festivity that my Islander hosts are famous for), rather than leaning into a few beers right off the bat, I tried to ensure the team and I had a more subdued first evening.

With relatively calm seas, we made the passage across to Pitt Island the next day and were treated to incredible views of the unique topography of both islands, with some of the more exposed coastlines giving new meaning to the term rugged.

Once at Flowerpot Bay, we settled into our digs for the next few days, before skidding out on the quad bikes for the first of a few planned hunts, targeting big boars and the sought-after Pitt Island ram. Truth be told however, we were mainly on Pitt for the ample spearfishing opportunities on offer.

Dave Shaw - The Hunters Club / South Seas Spearo

Pushing off from the recently refurbished pier the next morning, hopes were high that we’d be able to locate an elusive hāpuku, a fish that had been leading us on a rather merry chase for the past couple of years of filming without any luck. Here at the Chathams though, ‘Puka’ inhabit much shallower waters, less than 30m in some areas, depths that they were long ago fished out of on the mainland.

The first day of diving saw success in landing a few goodsized kingfish, which in recent years have been appearing in larger numbers around the islands, but unfortunately, no sign of any hāpuku. The team were treated to a gourmet lunch though, with Air Chathams pilot Matt whipping up a delicious kingfish ceviche using the fish shot earlier that morning; certainly a man of many talents!

The next day’s diving saw the team venture around the entire southern coastline of Pitt, even diving a couple of notoriously sharky spots, but with only an hour or two left of diving in the day things weren’t going to plan.

Having landed just a few token fish, on route back towards Flowerpot the team decided to roll the dice one final time to try and salvage something from their massive day. We chose to dive a small reef just a few minutes steam from the main wharf - and what do you know. . . Having travelled miles to all corners of the island, it seems the old adage ‘fish your feet first’ holds true – as the team’s number one spearo Dwane managed to nail a nice sized hāpuku on the very last dive of the day.

Having ticked the hāpuku box, the next few days were spent soaking up all the adventures that the Chathams have to offer; bagging a pair of 190lb boars up around Waitangi West, spearing flounder out at the lake mouth, and diving a couple of shipwrecks in Port Hutt.

Sprinkled in amongst the various outdoors activities were a constant flow of friendly faces, a backdrop of stunning scenery, and certainly no shortage of laughs. Having had two epic trips already, this may seem a tad greedy, but I can’t wait to get back over for another shoot. Most NZers are lucky to visit the Chathams once, hopefully my third time’s even more charming.

To catch up on all the briny adventures with the South Seas Spearo team go to TVNZ+ ON DEMAND for three season worth of underwater eye candy.

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

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

Particulars: Your name

Reference: Donation

Thank you for your support.

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.

Make

summer last a little longer, come on over to the Kāpiti Coast and find your new favourite happy place

Cruising Coast the

The Kāpiti Coast is not a destination –it’s several destinations all rolled into one! Paekākāriki, Raumati, Waikanae, Te Horo, Ōtaki and Paraparaumu all have distinct characters and unique attractions, from shopping, hiking, biking and swimming, to horse trekking, vibrant arts scenes and great eating. Together they make this part of the coast a truly great place to visit as the sense of discovery never seems to end, there’s always something else just up the road or around the corner. So to make summer last a little longer, come on over to the Kāpiti Coast and find your new favourite happy place.

Let’s start our tour at the top with Ōtaki and Te Horo. The former is very much making a name for itself as one of our most bilingual towns, thanks largely to the local wananga that has been working to nurture a generation of bilingual leaders for several decades.

This has helped make Ōtaki a wellrespected centre for learning te reo Māori, but the town is also the home of the Māoriland Hub, a centre of excellence for Māori film and creative arts. Anyone visiting the Kāpiti Coast district deserves to take in the Hub and its Gallery, and remember the name because these folks are going places!

Any visitor also deserves to take in the local eateries and shops. Both Te Horo and Ōtaki have great restaurants and cafes, and with Ōtaki Beach nearby they also have some great fish and chip shops for the perfect Kiwi picnic. The area has also long been known for a selection of outlet shops, but there are some very cool boutique shops offering less mainstream homewares, clothing, jewellery and gifts.

Dragging yourself away from those shops can be a struggle, but be strong because next stop is Waikanae.

For many years a semi-sleepy getaway for Wellingtonians looking for a truly spectacular beach, Waikanae now has an awful lot going on, with shopping, eateries, a mid-week market, a boutique cinema, and family friendly spots like the Kāpiti Coast Museum, the outdoor Waikanae Pool, and the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. With 14ha of thick native forest and wetlands that’s now home to more than 40 species of birds and more than 200 species of native fauna, the Reserve is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of the district, but you are really spoilt for choice when it comes to nature walks and trails on the Coast: choose your flavor – hills, flat, coastline – and your mode of transport – walking, cycling or horse trekking – and get into it!

It seems remiss to not make more of Waikanae’s beach, but in many ways the next stop on our coastal cruise is home to the beaches to be at. Paraparaumu and Raumati are some of the fastest growing urban areas in New Zealand and yet they retain a laidback beachside vibe while also having plenty to do.

The seemingly endless beaches, great golf, the Southward Car Museum, craft breweries and excellent restaurants and cafes are clearly what attracts that growth, but it also makes Paraparaumu and Raumati a great place to spend a few days in a late summer family getaway. Kāpiti Island, which is directly off shore, is a destination in and of itself, and there are short trips or overnight stays available.

The last call on our whistle-stop tour is by no means the least of what the Kāpiti Coast has to offer, because Paekākāriki is very much a creative hub of

the district with many actors, dancers, musicians, film-makers, artists and sculptors choosing to make their home here. In the heart of the village you’ll find a specially-designed walking route, which showcases poetry and visual arts by local and creative artists and is a short, mostly gentle walking loop that follows charming, scenic streets and a seaside path. Each waypoint features a poem or visual art piece, alongside a photo of the artist, a short biography and/or historical information.

The walk covers about 1.5 km, and will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace. Holtom’s Art Studios, a unique collective, creative mahi space and artist-run gallery, is also well-worth a visit; it’s at 1 Beach Road, and trust us, you can’t miss it, it’s the huge pink building!

The only hard part about a Kāpiti Coast hop is deciding where to start – and where to finish! Each town and settlement has so much to explore, and in our increasingly pre-packaged world it’s nice to get lost and follow your nose sometimes. And the Kāpiti Coast is the perfect place to do it.

In our increasingly pre-packaged world it’s nice to get lost and follow your nose sometimes

Hire a canoe and go on an epic guided river journey.

Local Tip #20

Scan to view

La

STATION

IT’S A STORY PLAYING OUT REGULARLY IN TOWNS AND CITIES ACROSS AOTEAROA

NEW ZEALAND; beautiful historic buildings sit empty and unloved, failing ever-stricter earthquake regulations and falling into disrepair as renovation costs rise. The story usually ends with the inevitable arrival of a wrecking ball.

But not this story, because this is the story of Whanganui’s Old Central Fire Station - a 1921 building given a whole new lease of life initially by the previous owners Geoff and Jody MacIntosh and now by current owners Brian and Tracy Hawkerand it has a very happy ending.

The fire station was built in 1921, the work of renowned architects Ford and Talboys, with an Italian Renaissance influence. As a working fire station it was also about functionality however; the main front of the building faced Wilson Street to avoid potential conflict between emerging fire engines and the trams on Guyton Street, there were firemen’s quarters on the ground floor, with the Guyton Street entrance providing access to the first floor with its ‘social hall’, and self-contained quarters for the superintendent and his deputy.

Images of the fire station old and new on the corner of Wilson and Guyton Streets, Whanganui. Historic image taken in 1921.

Images supplied

Whanganui’s first fire fighters had been British soldiers in the 1840s, followed by a volunteer brigade in 1866. A steam propelled fire engine - the first of its kind in Australasia - arrived in 1903, but following a disastrous fire at Foster’s Hotel in Taupo Quay in 1918 it was felt that a permanent brigade was needed - with a permanent home.

The official opening of the new fire station took place on 14 September 1921 and concluded with what the Wanganui Chronicle described as a “dainty afternoon tea”, and the new building was praised as utilising “very simple elements . . . to gain a quiet and dignified appearance

appropriate to the building’s use and its character as one of the town’s principal public buildings.” And it would remain a principal building for decades to come, serving the growing city well until the brigade moved to a new home that was more suited to modern firefighting equipment in 1981.

A variety of tenants made use of the station in the years that followed, and some renovation and remodelling work had been carried out, but it’s unique design and layout didn’t always lend itself to mainstream uses. That said, Brian and Tracy always knew what they were going to do with it.

“It’s a stunning building,” Brian says, “and we just loved the character of it - it’s something that you just don’t get in modern buildings. I knew the previous owner and I spent a couple of years trying to convince him to sell it to us! We loved how iconic it is, and we loved the idea of developing the ground floor into a furniture and homeware store and turning the upstairs into accommodation, partly so that we could downsize and start apartment living in the

Whanganui city centre. We’ve lived in Whanganui for over twenty years and the city has given us so much and continuing the development of the building was a way for us to give something back.”

Major renovation and earthquake strengthening was started by the previous owners and was continued by Brian and Tracy, with the aim of preserving as much of the original building as possible.

Left, the refurbished fire station’s boutique accommodation and design store and, right, Brian and Tracy Hawker.

“It was a lot of work,” Brian says, who together with Tracy embraced the experience of renovating the historic building. “Whenever you are dealing with an older building you never know quite what you will find! But in fact nothing too surprising turned up as we dug deeperwhich was a surprise in itself! It has mostly been remodelling, painting, strengthening the structure and insulating it, and working on the gardens, and it is looking good.”

In fact it is looking fantastic. The colour palette is spot on for the building, which now sports a blue heritage plaque, and in addition to the interior design store there is Airbnb accommodation called Station House, fully furnished fixed term apartments and commercial spaces. For a building of this period it is amazingly light and airy, and from the moment you step in you can feel the majesty of a bygone era as the renovation has been considered and complementary to this grand old dame.

“We are really just the temporary custodians of the building,” Brian says. “And we feel very fortunate to be able to do our part in restoring it so that it is around for many many more years. The La Station design store is doing really well, and many people come to see the building itself

Restoration underway and complete

as it is part of the heritage of the city. And the work isn’t finished - we are currently working on another Airbnb two-bedroom apartment, so it is very much a work in progress.”

Which leaves us with just one question: have the couple ever thought of buying a vintage fire engine, just as a round town runabout and to complement the station. “We have seen a couple,” laughs Brian, “but they just wouldn’t work in the space! But if the right thing comes along - who knows!”

“Whenever you are dealing with an older building you never know quite what you will find!”

25 March - 2 April Whanganui: the eclectic art capital of Aotearoa openstudios.co.nz

Image: This Way by Adele Dubarry (#91). Photographed by Steve Caudwell.

On ya BIKE!

OVERINDULGED WITH THE CHRISTMAS CHEER AND NEED TO GET SOME EXERCISE, but not quite ready to run a marathon or take up Zumba? Looking to escape the hustle and bustle with the family but want to relax and recharge rather than run yourself ragged on an overseas jaunt? Then fear not, we have the answer: head out east to Whakatāne for full-on family cycling fun that will get you back on your bike and out and about in some stunning scenery – without the need to be a lycra-clad adrenalin junkie or to pack for a week.

Ah Whakatāne; it has long been known as a classic Kiwi getaway destination, blessed with plenty of sunshine and the stunning Ōhope Beach. What is less well-known is that this small but perfectly formed eastern Bay of Plenty town is also blessed with some great cycling trails.

“Whakatāne really has some hidden gems,” says long-time cyclist and resident Richard Hamer, “and they are perfect for families and casual cyclists. Cool urban around town trails and a really nice ride over the hill to Ōhope that you’ll often have all to yourself: it’s far from the maddening crowds and just you and the birds for most of it.”

Richard has been a cycling advocate for several years, as well as acting as a cycle guide, so is more than familiar with the various trails on offer.

“A lot of work has been put into the cycle trails in Whakatāne, both by our local district council and some really passionate locals, and the improved trails have meant a lot more people are getting on bikes either for recreation or transportation.”

WHAKATĀNE RIVERSIDE TRAIL

Distance: 8.6km return ride

One of the most popular of these is the Riverside Trail that runs – surprise, surprise – alongside the Whakatāne River, between the Whakatāne Bridge (the main entrance into the town) and the river mouth, popularly known as The Heads. This 8.6km trail is a great early morning or late afternoon ride and as it passes the town’s CBD there is the opportunity of a coffee, a bite to eator glass of something stronger.

“The Riverside Trail is fully paved,” says Richard, “and you are alongside the river the whole way, so it’s really scenic. It passes the town’s rose gardens and a marsh too if you are a keen bird watcher, and it’s all flat so great for kids.”

The trail also passes close to the spectacular Mataatua Wharenui – The House That Came Home - and Te Ana o Muriwai (Muriwai’s Cave), one of the most sacred and historically significant sites in the Whakatāne region.

If you ride the trail from east to west you will end up at the Whakatāne Bridge and from there you can embark on another ride, the Urban Nature Trail. “This trail takes in the river, the inanga (whitebait) spawning ponds, and the Awatapu lagoon shared pathway,” Richard says. “Parts of this trail are gravel, but it is still a flat and easy ride, and a huge amount of restoration work is being done around the lagoon to make it a nice scenic ride. The lagoon was created by the diversion of the Whakatāne River in the 1970s as a means of flood protection, and for many years it languished unloved and stagnant. Home to kōtuku (white heron) and weweia (dabchicks) it is now being slowly rehabilitated with pest control and plantings.”

If you’ve done the around town trails and are looking for a more energetic two-wheeled adventure, then the Town to Sea Trail gets you up into the hills surrounding the town via sealed and unsealed roads that lead to the glorious Ōhope Beach. At 16km this trail is more of a workout, but well worth it. “The Town to Sea Trail is a great way to see some native bush and ride some really quiet back roads,” says Richard. “The main road between Whakatāne and Ōhope has some pretty steep grades, but the cycle trail goes along Maraetotara and Burma Roads so is much less steep and it’s a good way to get over to the beach.”

Let

WHAKATĀNE TOWN TO SEA TRAIL

Distance: A total of 16km with stunning climbs, bush and coastal scenery

The Town to the Sea Trail is best enjoyed as a day trip looping back to where you started – with the welcome reward of lunch or a tipple in one of Ōhope’s cafés and maybe a swim to boot – but transport can be arranged if the kids are tired –and bike rentals are available in Whakatāne and at the Ōhope Wharf so you can start from either end.

“And if you want to get in some serious trail work in addition to the family oriented one in the township, then Whakatāne is a great base to work from,” says Richard. “The Redwoods in Rotorua is just an hour up the road, and the Tirohanga Dunes Trail and Motū Trails in Ōpōtiki are really spectacular.”

So go on, get off the couch, and get on a bike in the eastern Bay.

It has been – let’s be frank! – the summer of our discontent, but Air Chathams is here to help: escape the weather and the back-to-work blues with a getaway like no other on an island like no other: Norfolk

Island, it’s got everything under the sun, and more.

At less than three hours flight time from Auckland International Airport, Norfolk Island really is right in our backyard. In fact, we’re virtually neighbours, which is why it’s so surprising that many Kiwis know so little about this little piece of Pacific paradise.

Most of us equate it with the Bounty mutineers and as being a gloomy convict colony, but while it is true that many Islanders are descendants of crewmen from The Bounty, the Island’s days as a prison were a remarkably short period of its history. There is, in short, a lot more to Norfolk Island than most of us know.

For a start it has it’s own indigenous language – Norf’k – derived from the 18th century English of the sailors and the Tahitian language of their wives. Though it is considered an endangered language by UNESCO, the Island’s 2,100 inhabitants are keeping it alive and well. So when you visit don’t be ippy (a silly person) and be sure to say watawieh (hello) and si yourley morla (see you tomorrow) to the locals as you travel around from daffy (here) to deffy (there).

Other local customs worth adopting while you are travelling the Island are the Norfolk Wave –whereby all motorists give each other a friendly gesture when passing – and the rather more peculiar fact that cows frequently wander the roads and have the right of way, by law! At just 34 square kilometres there is not a great deal of need for motorized transport for many tourists though – so the cows can do as they wish –but there is an astonishing amount to see. In addition to the obvious historical sites of the old settlement and convict quarters – which have UNESCO Heritage status – the natural beauty of the island comes as a huge surprise to many visitors. Over 30% of the Island is national park and there are numerous walks that take you around the highlights: the beautiful blue lagoon of Emily Bay, teeming with fish, the spectacular cliffs of Anson Bay, the 360 degree views from atop Mount Pitt, and the amazing night skies of an island with the rare and coveted Gold Level of the Australian Dark Sky Register. Be sure to bring your camera as Norfolk Island is a photographer’s paradise, boasting some of the most spectacular sunsets and sunrises and ocean and sky vistas on earth.

The natural beauty of the island comes as a huge surprise to many visitors

The merging of two cultures produced more than a unique language however, it also produced a fantastically unique cuisine, and one that takes full advantage of all the surrounding ocean’s bounty as well as the zero carbon ‘gate-to-plate’ produce that the Island’s rich soils produce. Everything from beef to cheese and honey is produced locally, all fantastically fresh and deliciously decadent – this is after all, where fresh cream is called Norfolk Gravy. The Island is in fact becoming something of a rising star in the foodie scene, and with delights like just-caught kingfish prepared on an Argentinian barbecue or flame grilled Norfolk Island beef served up in the atmospheric dining room of a convict era home it’s easy to see why. There are plenty of restaurant options, and the legendary Progressive Dinner in which locals welcome you into their homes for a moving feast is not to be missed, but a real standout is an Island fish fry.

This uniquely Norfolk custom sees fresh local seafood, salads, and veges, all expertly prepared with a Tahitian twist, served not only on cliff tops, but while the sun goes down. You’ll soon be moosa buss (bursting from eating too much), but hey, so will everyone else.

This is what Norfolk Island is all about. Making the most of nature, it’s splendor and it’s harvest, and enjoying it as a community, in a way that is at the same time quirky yet eminently sensible. This is, after all, a place where the local phone directory also has listings under nicknames, because, well, that’s how the locals know each other.

And after the trials and tribulations of a global pandemic and the wettest summer on record you deserve to get to know Norfolk, its quirks, its beauty, its people. Probably we all do.

Way

out West

The City of Sails has a pretty storied past; it has served as the capital of the colony, has been a battleground and boomtown, and it is now our largest city. But for a more manageable glimpse into the rough and tumble colonial history of the region – and our country – head out west to the wild Waitākere Ranges, for stories tall and true and characters as mad as gum diggers’ dogs.

Historic images courtesy of the Huia Settlers Museum

It’s easy to see how Waitākere, ‘wave-swept rock’ in te reo Māori, got its name if you’ve ever visited the western beaches and settlements. These popular destinations have been the inspiration for writers and artists of so many callings: Jane Campion’s The Piano was filmed there, Crowded House recorded there, and infamous prison escapee George Wilder – a con-artist but an artist of sorts none the less – made himself welcome in baches there while half the New Zealand police force worked to put him back behind bars.

Today the beaches and ranges have a well-earned reputation for attracting those wanting to escape the rat-race and embrace the environment, but it wasn’t always this way. The early colonial settlers certainly had their eyes on the native flora and fauna, but for very different reasons. The ranges, and the coastal settlement of Huia in particular, were crowded with mighty kauri and other native timbers that were coveted for house and furniture construction, by the ship building industry, and – perish the thought – by miners for bracing and the railways for sleepers.

Kauri gum made exceptional varnish - particularly for coaches and coffins it is said!

“Timber Fever” took hold, and the settlers set about stripping the hills bare, first with long, razor sharp pit saws drawn by hand, then from the late 1830s with sawmills powered by water wheels or steam. ‘Kauri dams’ were created to build up a head of water which, when tripped, would sluice tons of logs down gullies to where they could be shipped to Auckland, light ‘tramway’ rail lines were constructed to move sawn timber, and it is estimated that up until the beginning of the 20th century kauri was being milled at an incredible rate of 236,000m3 per annum.

And it wasn’t just the timber. Kauri gum made exceptional varnish - particularly for coaches and coffins it is said! - and was almost as prized as gold, with both Māori and Pakehā joining in fevered gum digging.

It was hard yakka, even harder than saw milling; some of the best sources of gum were in swamps, which meant days of muddy work, with the diggers constantly wet and living off subsistence rations literally in holes in the ground covered with sacking; and all of this with no guarantee of a haul that would pay for your food let alone make you rich. The gum diggers, who were mostly from Dalmatia on the Adriatic Coast, were considered mad – and their dogs more so for not deserting their masters, which is the source of the saying. Many of the ‘Dallies’ as they were known would go on to found the New Zealand wine industry, a much more lucrative endeavour for these hardy souls who had journeyed across the globe.

It wasn’t just people who washed upon our shores however. In 1861 the largest sperm whale seen in local waters was found at Whatipū Beach and conjecture immediately began about whether it was the same whale that had attacked the whaling ship Essex, which was the inspiration for Moby-Dick, as it was of a whiteish tinge and bore the scars of multiple harpoon strikes.

Soon the hapless whale had also been blamed for several other sinkings and people came from far and wide to see it. After a few days in the sun however, it began to putrefy, and it was reported that the stench could be detected as far away as Titirangi! Fortunately, another huge storm soon blew in and carried the rotting corpse back out to sea.

Two years later in 1863 an even more tragic tale unfolded. HMS Orpheus, flagship of the Australian Squadron and enroute to Manukau from Sydney, struck a sand bar at Whatipū and was turned by the surf to face the full force of the ocean.

On a good day out west it’s hard to imagine the hard lives the early colonials had to endure

the

The crew attempted to abandon ship, but hatches burst and cabins were shattered as the west coast weather hammered the wreck. 189 of the ship’s compliment of 259 died, with an average age of just 25.

On a good day out west it’s hard to imagine the hard lives the early colonials had to endure, but a great way to take a trip back into past is to pay a visit to the Huia Settlers Museum (open Saturday and Sunday’s). Since 1984 it has been collecting, preserving and displaying items that represent the way of life of the early settlers of the Huia and surrounding districts of the Waitākere Ranges, and the collection of artefacts, domestic items, agricultural tools, sawmilling equipment, marine items - they even have the mast of the Orpheus! - and photography is fascinating.

So pack up the family and go westthe ghosts of gumdiggers, the echoes of timber fever and shipwrecks await!

Since 1984

Huia Settlers Museum has been collecting, preserving and displaying items that represent the way of life of the early settlers...

Gone Fishing with

GIVE A MAN A FISH and you feed him for a day, so the saying goes, but teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. We’re not really sure where inspiring a whole bunch of eastern Bay of Plenty rangatahi to find a passion for fishing fits into that model, but we can’t help but feel it’s a good thing. And at Air Chathams we love good things!

“Fishing is just such an intrinsic part of Kiwi culture,” says Air Chathams Chief Operating Officer Duane Emeny. “It’s something nearly all of us experience in childhood and many of us never really grow out of it – anyone from the Chatham Islands is evidence of that! It’s in our Kiwi DNA and it helps teach us about where our food comes from and the value of that, and about the importance of protecting the ecosystem that surrounds us. And it’s also really great fun!”

Just how much fun fishing can be was on clear display at the New World Whakatāne Sportfishing Club Juniors Tournament, which was held from 13-15 January and which Air Chathams is proud to be a sponsor of. Marketing and Sales Manager Brent Condon says the Air Chathams whānau love being involved in these kinds of grass-roots events and being a part of the communities, they fly in to.

“It’s great to see kids getting into fishing, away from devices and outdoors,” he says. “Kids just love fishing and it’s our most popular past time – over a million of us fish – and it’s a fun way to improve not just physical wellbeing but also mental wellbeing. Air Chathams is really keen to get our sponsorship efforts working at this level, on the ground with kids where it matters, and of course it makes so much sense for us to sponsor this event here in Whakatāne, which is the sport fishing capital!”

And Whakatāne certainly came through on the day, with plenty of locals taking part as well as visitors from near and far, including the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club juniors. The weather –mostly – came to the party and so did the fish, with some very respectable kahawai, trevally, tarakihi, snapper, kingfish and yellow fin landed, and even a marlin caught and released.

“The Air Chathams whānau love being involved in these kinds of grass-roots events”

And as you can see from the accompanying photos, the Air Chathams photo competition, which ran throughout the tournament, also bagged some prizes.

“We’ve been working on other initiatives with Whakatāne District Council about getting kids into things like fishing, and we’re looking forward to getting these off the ground,” Brent says.

“We’re particularly keen to get kids involved who might not have these opportunities through family like many of us do, so watch this space, there are some exciting things on the way.”

“It’s great to see kids getting into fishing, away from devices and outdoors”

Our fleet

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The airline that brings New Zealand together

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.

Air Chathams brings New Zealand together!

We’re 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.

airchats@plenty.co.nz

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.

• 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.

• 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.

Take away the trials of air travel with Air Chathams Multi-Pass. Use it, change it, transfer it, cancel it and keep it, every time you fly. With mutliple options, flexibility and savings Multi-Pass makes flying convenient again.

www.airchathams.co.nz