Air Chats Summer 2020 Inflight Magazine by Air Chathams

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

Summer 2020 // ISSUE 06

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

KĀ P I T I COA S T

Your complimentary copy

W H A KATĀ N E

WHANGANUI

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

A U C K LA N D

Photo: Steve Caudwell

Te Awa, our river is a central feature to life in Whanganui. The riverfront is a venue for a number of activities. Every Saturday you can check out the bustling River Traders Market, often with live music and historic tram rides. Local paddle steamers take passengers up the river, local fishermen try their luck while kids enjoy the iconic riverside playground at Kowhai Park. Ride a bike or take a walk along the river where you can take in views of local rowers, kayakers and Waka Ama paddlers - there’s always something happening. Whanganui has so much on offer for everyone. When it comes to real estate, let the local Bayleys team help you on your property journey. Call us today.

06 348 0573 ALTOGETHER LOCAL

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

Kia ora Koutou Welcome to another edition of Air Chats Inflight magazine! It has certainly been a remarkably busy quarter for Air Chathams, and given the huge impact that Covid-19 has had on our industry, this can only be viewed as a very positive outcome for our family business. The support from our staff has been incredible throughout the pandemic. Through all their sacrifice we have a loyal team that front day after day to provide an amazing customer experience which we can now monitor through our Net Promoter Score (NPS) data. The benchmark for airlines is an NPS of 25-30, but Air Chathams has consistently returned an NPS of 80+ since we started analysing the data three months ago! This is a result which makes us incredibly proud. This quarter has also seen the roll out of our new frequent flyer programme, Green Miles. It has been great to see all our customers getting on board and accumulating travel miles which can be converted into free flights on any of our scheduled services even that ‘bucket list’ tour to the Chatham Islands! If you’ve yet to sign up, then I recommend you do it today and start banking those miles! Speaking of the Chathams, our home is experiencing a boom in demand for domestic visitors due to closed international borders and a fascination to experience

the unique history, culture, and landscape of Rēkohu/Wharekauri. Not to mention enjoying a meal of the world’s best Blue Cod! Our team worked hard to gain operational approvals to deploy our 68-seat ATR-72 onto the Chathams schedule and keep up with the growing demand. As well as extra freight charters from Auckland and Wellington with the Convair, our reliable workhorse, to ensure the islands have all the supplies they need. A lot of this work was last minute and ad-hoc, and again shows the flexibility of our dedicated team of flight crew, engineers, ground staff and managers to make it happen! We are hopeful that our government will continue to work on solutions to create safe travel zones with Australian states, including Norfolk Island. And that we can reassess our decision to suspend the direct Auckland service until April 2021. We are getting so many inquiries about holidays to Norfolk Island and recognise how much their small island community relies on tourism for economic survival. Here is hoping we can visit them all again soon! Lastly, and importantly, I want to thank you, our loyal and supportive customers. Without you choosing to fly Air Chathams today and urging your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same, we simply could not remain a viable business and continue to provide essential air services connecting our beautiful country. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a much better New Year than the one we have all just weathered! Ka kite anō and safe travels! Duane Emeny, Chief Operating Officer Air Chathams

Duane and Craig Emeny of Air Chathams

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

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

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Paraparaumu Airport showing a Douglas DC3 and a Lockheed Lodestar1/2-102235-G PA-Group-00079: New Zealand FreeLance: Photographic prints & negatives

Publisher Plenty Limited - airchats@plenty.co.nz Editor/Kaiwhakatika Tuhinga Andy Taylor - info@plenty.co.nz Design & Production/Kaiwhakatauira Sarah Lane - design@plenty.co.nz Advertising Enquiries airchats@plenty.co.nz +64 (0)27 932 5515 Cover image Auckland’s Eden Park © Photosport Ltd 2019

Air Chats is published by Plenty Limited on behalf of Air Chathams Limited. Copyright 2020 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).

28 Contents AIR CHATS

SUMMER/DECEMBER/2020

04 06 11 16

EVENTS/NEWS The airline that brings New Zealand together.

A SECRET HISTORY Chatham Islands figure large in New Zealand’s history; and now is a great time to explore it.

KEEPING CONNECTED

Aviation has always connected Kiwis, and Kāpiti Coast locals are keen to keep it that way.

GO WEST!

It’s their biggest party of the year and you’re invited – this is the Bayleys Whanganui Vintage Weekend.

32 37

SANCTUARY ISLAND

Moutohorā/Whale Island is one of the Bay of Plenty’s best-kept secrets, an island sanctuary that awaits.

THE BIG SMOKE

Don’t overlook Auckland when planning your summer getaway - it’s so much more than a City of Sails.

WHEN THE GOING WAS GOOD

Air Chathams DC-3 Kaitaia is coming to the sky near you, step aboard and step back in time.

DESTINATIONS

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

OUR FLEET

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

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Whakatāne Touch - 34th Annual Touch Tournament January 8th and January 9th www.whakatane.com/events/whakatane-touchtournament The largest touch club tournament in New Zealand attracts top sportsmen and celebrities from all over New Zealand and abroad. This year marks the Whakatāne Touch Association Charitable Trust’s 34th annual touch tournament - made up of 72 teams and a maximum of five grades: men’s open, men’s restricted, women’s open, women’s restricted, mixed grade, and old boys +35 years. Over 1000 players and 70 referees are involved in this much anticipated event.

WHANGANUI

EASTERN BOP

Events

Arts Whakatāne 2021 Summer Arts Festival January 2020 - March 2021 www.artswhakatane.co.nz

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CHATHAM ISLANDS

KĀPITI COAST

Fun for all the family, this free event brings together kite fliers from all around New Zealand. Spectacular kites of all shapes, sizes and styles thrill those viewing from the beach, above the dunes and the Pavilion roof, so expect to be delighted by the sight of massive inflatable kites, stained glass window and bug kites, through to tiny fluttering seagull kites. Bring your own kite and join in the fun!

Bayleys Whanganui Vintage Weekend is about celebrating the very best of every era, be it magnificent machinery, fabulous fashion, beautiful buildings, magical music or fantastic fare, this weekend has it all and then some! Our DC-3, Kaitaia, will flying down for the weekend offering scenic flights above Whanganui, so this is a great opportunity to learn about the history of this grand old dame and have a unique, unforgettable experience. Accommodation and flights are selling fast, so get in quick to visit Whanganui for Vintage Weekend.

March 19th - March 28th 2021 www.openstudios.co.nz

�� February 6th and 7th 2021 www.otakipromogroup.nz/kite-festival

January 23rd - January 25th 2021 www.whanganuivintageweekend.nz

Artist Open Studios showcases Whanganui creatives

Arts Whakatāne has another busy summer schedule for 2021 with everything from a night owl cinema to a dance carnival, the National Youth Brass Band, a Waitangi Day Reggae Festival, the Molly Morpeth Canaday Painting and Drawing Exhibition, and the always popular sculpture symposium and Jazz in the Park. Check out the website for all the details and plan a summer getaway.

Ōtaki Kite Festival

Bayleys Whanganui Vintage Weekend

From humble beginnings Whanganui’s Artist Open Studios has gone from strength to strength to become New Zealand’s largest, longest running and most diverse arts trail event. Held over two weekends, the event opens the doors to studios throughout the district to give a unique glimpse into the world of a huge variety of artists.

�� Chatham Islands Racing Carnival December 27th, 31st 2020 and January 4th 2021 www.facebook.com/chathamislandjockeyclub The Chatham Islands Racing Carnival has been run every New Year holiday since 1875 at the island’s racecourse. Now in its 145th year, making it one of NZ’s oldest horse races, this is the event that – possibly – stops an island.

AUCKLAND

Auckland’s Eden Park Summer 2020/21 www.edenpark.co.nz

New Zealand’s national stadium has a great line up of events this summer. Dec 2nd to 6th Powerade G9 – The conversion of Eden Park to a nine-hole golf course offers the unique opportunity to hit a holein-one from the highest stands of the 117-year old stadium. Players can win a share of prizes, including the coveted G9 Yellow Jacket, and half a million dollars thanks to Donaldson Brown! Dec 5th An Eden Park Christmas Come along to the Park’s free annual family festive celebrations on the Outer Oval. Entry is free! Dec 18th BLACKCAPS vs Pakistan Support the Blackcaps in the 1st T20 against Pakistan! Gates open: 5.30pm Mar 5th BLACKCAPS vs Australia Support the Blackcaps in the 4th T20 against Australia. Gates open: 5.30pm Mar 26th BLACKCAPS vs Bangladesh Support the Blackcaps as they take on Bangladesh in the 2nd T20. Gates open: 5.30pm

36th America’s Cup March 6th - March 21st www.americascup.com The 36th America’s Cup Match will be held from 6th to 21st March 2021 and will see the defender Emirates Team New Zealand racing against the winner of the Prada Cup, the Challenger Selection Series, with the winner being the first team to score seven points. The 2021 event will be preceded by the America’s Cup World Series, with the Christmas Race taking place in Auckland from 17th to 20th December. The Auckland Race Village is situated in the heart of Auckland and Emirates Team New Zealand’s HQ will be centre stage at the former Viaduct Event Centre so come along and be a part of history!

News

Air Chathams welcomes ATR-72 to the Chatham Islands Air Chathams has welcomed the ATR 72 aircraft on to the Chatham Islands to mainland New Zealand route. The ATR, which will be based on the Chathams, will operate daily scheduled flights to mainland NZ cities including Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The introduction of the ATR will mean a significantly improved customer experience for residents and visitors and increases capacity with up to 68 seats. Upgrading to a more modern aircraft will enable Air Chathams to provide a more secure service and the ATR is more fuel efficient, quieter and longer than the Convair 580 and was first introduced to the Air Chathams fleet in 2019. The aircraft was officially welcomed to the island at a ceremony on 24 October by the community and guests including Chatham Islands Mayor Monqiue Croon, MP for Rongotai and Chatham Islands Paul Eagle, Air Chathams CEO and Founder Craig Emeny, CFO Marion Emeny and ATR Captain Matthew Emeny.

Whanganui Businesses Recoup Lockdown Losses Whanganui & Partners says that strong consumer activity post-lockdown has meant the same amount has been spent with Whanganui businesses since February as over the same seven-month period last year. Consumer data from Marketview shows, for the week ending 6 September, spending in Whanganui was up by 15.2% compared to the same week last year. Spending nation-wide for the same period was up 5.8%. Gaelle Deighton, interim CE of economic development agency Whanganui & Partners, says the district has seen strong growth in spending every week since the lockdown ended. “On average, every week since lockdown has seen an 11.2% increase in spending compared to the same week last year. This substantial increase has meant that the spend we lost from the beginning of February, when COVID began to impact tourism and supply chains, has been made up post-lockdown. On paper, the past seven months look the same as those seven months in 2019.” Deighton says it’s important to recognise that not every sector has experienced the same recovery. “Sectors like tourism, hospitality and transportation were more affected by the lockdown, and it’s going to be a longer recovery for these businesses. There’s support available through Whanganui & Partners, and I encourage businesses still feeling the effects to access all the resources available to them.” Deighton says the high-performing economy bodes well for the future of the district and the underlying resilience of the district’s businesses. “Data shows that our economy is on the right track. We’re seeing month-onmonth records broken in consumer spend, visitor spend and house values right now. We’re currently on track to see our highest ever annual consumer spend, which is amazing considering the significant interruptions to business this year,” Deighton said. “More than ever, Whanganui is viewed as a desirable place to visit and live, and our businesses are feeling the benefit of that. Our job at Whanganui & Partners right now is to help our businesses adapt, pivot and grow so all of our sectors are feeling the benefit of the strong economy.” Businesses that need support with the effects of COVID-19 are encouraged to contact the team at Whanganui & Partners or for more information visit www.whanganuiandpartners.nz/sme A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

CHATHAM ISLAND Onoua/Flowerpot Bay Wharf, Pitt Island Photo by Robbie Lanauze

SECRET HISTORY

T MAY SEEM LIKE a distant corner of the country, but the Chatham Islands punch way above their weight when figuring in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history. The seafarers who have called it home over the centuries were some of the hardiest and canniest on earth, guiding waka or sailing ships into one of the world’s wildest oceans and leaving a legacy of endurance and can-do that remains today. The remarkable thing is just how little most Kiwis know of this history, and with overseas travel off the menu there’s never been a better time to explore it than now.

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The tale of the Glory is really the story of one of our greatest maritime achievements

The archipelago - Rēkohu or “Misty Sun” to Moriori – was first settled around 500 years ago and ever since its story seems to have attracted conjecture. Generations of New Zealanders grew up believing a largely untrue version of how Moriori and Māori interacted, and it is only now – remarkably – that this is being rectified. A major milestone in this has been the opening of the Kōpinga Marae, dedicated to re-establishing the identity of Moriori and acting as a base for future growth; any trip to the Chatham Islands is not complete without an exploration of the journey that Moriori have made in the last five centuries. Europeans first arrived in 1791 in the form of Her Majesty’s Ship Chatham, which was on a four and a half year mission of exploration and diplomacy. Sealers and whalers arrived soon after that, settlers followed and for decades the Islands were home to a microcosm of the tumult that played out on mainland New Zealand; warfare ebbed and flowed, economies boomed and busted, German missionaries arrived (and failed to make a single convert), the French navy bombarded the main port, and Te Kooti and his Hauhau rebels were exiled there. There was, to be sure, never a dull moment. But while countless books and podcasts pick over the history of mainland New Zealand, the sometimes outrageous and often courageous history of the Chatham Islands flies under the radar.

Dr Hamish Campbell Photo by Bronwyn Campbell

Take for example the story of the Glory: shipwrecked on the Chathams in 1827, several of the crew of the brig Glory set off in a salvaged longboat and safely completed what is one of this country’s most epic open boat journeys – 1280 kms – before returning with help for those who had stayed behind. It is an incredible feat of navigation and fortitude – and aside from Chatham Islanders and mainland historians, no one has ever heard of it. One of those historians is Hamish Campbell, a geologist and research scientist with GNS Science in Wellington, but probably more familiar to most as appearing in the popular ‘Coast New Zealand’ television series. Together with David Johnston of Massey University in Wellington he has researched the extraordinary tale of the Glory and is looking to commemorate it – possibly even re-enact it.

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“The tale of the Glory is really the story of one of our greatest maritime achievements,” Campbell says. “The ship was sealing – for what was at that time a very lucrative market for seal skin in China – when they struck rocks near Pitt Island. The captain tried to run the ship aground, but it foundered and the crew were lucky to make it ashore. They salvaged what they could from the wreck, including a long boat, and though there is no record of it, they must have been helped by Moriori, who would no doubt have witnessed the wreck.” What followed was an epic journey – some have called it stupidity – as the Captain and five of the crew set out in the long boat to find help. “It was an open boat, bare to the elements but rigged with a sail,” says Campbell. “Interestingly – and in what would make modern health and safety inspectors happy – they fitted splash boards to the long boat to make it more seaworthy, but it would have been a harrowing trip through a wild stretch of ocean.

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

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Auckland

Wellington Christchurch

Chatham Islands

1280 kms is a very long way when you’re exposed to the elements, wet through and living on rations. The hero of the story is undoubtedly the captain – it was a feat not just to stay alive but to stay on course.” Their course took them to the Bay of Islands where they managed to board a sailing ship – the Samuel – on its way to Sydney. They then commissioned the same vessel, returned to Pitt Island and rescued the remainder of the crew. But there is debate as to whether ‘rescue’ is the right word. Moriori were hospitable, and there would have been other ships - sealer and whalers - almost certain to visit. Why the Glory’s crew chose to brave the ocean instead of getting fat on seafood and awaiting a whaler is unknown.

1280 kms is a very long way when you’re exposed to the elements, wet through and living on rations.

Amazing history, heritage, nature, landscapes, fishing, wildlife, walks, seafood and much more.

“So much of this story is unknown,” Campbell says. “We don’t know how many crew were on the Glory, or what happened to them afterwards back in Australia. You can’t help but feel that if the wreck had been on the mainland, there would be books written about it, but in this case they sailed into history – and then into oblivion.” Today, all that physically remains of the adventure is the ship’s anchor, to be found near Glory Cottage in Glory Bay on Pitt Island. It is a humble monument to the story, but Campbell and Johnston are hoping that it won’t be the end of the story; they are planning on more research, both here and across the Tasman, searching for a diary, letters, anything that will shed light on another fascinating part of the Chatham Islands’ history.

www.chathamislands.co.nz and go in the draw to win a box of Premium Chatham Blue Courtesy of Chatham Island Food Co A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

KĀPITI COAST

With war clouds gathering in the northern hemisphere, the government of the day invoked the Public Works Act to acquire land for an airport to help serve the big smoke of Wellington.

Keeping Connected IMAGES KĀPITI DISTRICTS AERO CLUB

EW ZEALAND IS NOT A VAST COUNTRY, but getting around it has never been easy; divided by mountain ranges and rocked by seismic activity, Aotearoa’s roads, rivers and rails have struggled throughout our history to keep us connected, and it has often been aviation that has brought us together as a nation and as whānau. And perhaps that’s why many Kāpiti locals are concerned about plans that could see their airport turned into a housing development. The story of the Kāpiti Coast Airport stretches back to 1939. With war clouds gathering in the northern hemisphere, the government of the day invoked the Public Works Act to acquire land for an airport to help serve the big smoke of Wellington. The Yanks were coming – and would soon all but take over Paraparaumu – but Rongotai, the capital’s airport, was clinging precariously to reclaimed land and not really up to scratch. A second airport serving the area made sense, and after the war ended and the threat to New Zealand subsided, Paraparaumu Airport became a thriving airport central to the Wellington region’s growing population. From 1947 to 1949 it was in fact New Zealand’s busiest airport, and it wasn’t unusual to see up to 20 DC-3s and Lodestars parked on its apron. And up until 1959 Rongotai had a grass runway considered unsafe and unusable during winter months, and so from 1952 to 1957 Wellington had two domestic airports with NAC running Herons from Rongotai and everything else from Paraparaumu. A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

Though the airport was sold to private owners in the early 90s, it remained operational and performing several vital functions, and as Peter Merwood, Secretary of the Kāpiti District Aeroclub notes, the airport is not just a convenient way to visit the Coast. “The airport has the obvious role of commercially serving locals and visitors,” he says, “but it is also vital for civil defence and aeromedical services. It is regularly used by rescue helicopters and fixed wing aircraft to transfer patients to/from Auckland or other major centres. Kāpiti Coast Airport is also on the doorstep of one of the wildest pieces of water around us – if Wellington is closed, Kāpiti Airport is the only sealed runway between Whanganui or Palmerston North and Blenheim.”

From 1947 to 1949 it was in fact New Zealand’s busiest airport

Keeping the airport in operation – and serving the community and the country – seems like the obvious answer. But nothing it seems is straightforward when it comes to regional airports, and Kāpiti in particular. “The acquisition of the land in 1939 was already contentious,” says

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Aeroplanes on the tarmac at Paraparaumu Airport, in 1953. 1/2-058308-F PAColl-5713: Kapiti Coast District Libraries: Brown, Crawford, Edwards, Greig, Strand and Vaughn Collections

Peter Merwood, “the original sale to private ownership was challenged twice in court for various reasons, the auditor general has been involved, and the airport has even been the subject of a private member’s bill to ensure it remains in operation. It’s been a long story of questionable deals, but the thing to remember is that the airport also has a long history of serving the region.” The fly in the ointment is New Zealand’s seemingly insatiable thirst for housing. As our regions grow, so too does the need for housing, and the green fields of Kāpiti Coast Airport offer prime real estate. But herein too there is a catch; Kāpiti is certainly growing, and when the new transport lines of Transmission Gully come online it will grow even faster, as many people see the opportunity to live and work as coasters and commute to Wellington.

Relax Unwind Indulge Atahuri awaits

The fly in the ointment is New Zealand’s seemingly insatiable thirst for housing.

“As the Kāpiti region grows,” says Peter Merwood, “the airport will only become more important. And if this airport is closed and down the track it is recognised a new one is needed – well good luck trying to find, let alone afford, the open land, accommodation, hangars and engineers that we already have here. The airport should be central to the region’s growth, not a victim of it.” For local hapū Puketapu, the original owners of the land, the current situation represents an opportunity. Puketapu offered a respectable tender, which was not successful, at the time of the land sale and believe that the time is now right to address history while also looking to the future. “Yes, the business model of the airport needs to change,” says hapū spokesperson George Jenkins, “but that can be tweaked and there is huge potential here to achieve something that will be of long-term value to the entire community and also come down on the right side of history. The airport is an icon, and with the growth our region is predicted to see there is a genuine case for retaining it, but we need to have vision and look at the practical aspects as a people, not just as individuals. This is something worth much, much more than just the value of land.”

Kapiti’s hidden secret — Atahuri oﬀering luxurious boutique accommodation

atahuri.co.nz

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This is a theme shared by Peter Merwood. “Regional airports don’t make money,” he says, “but that doesn’t mean they have no value. Kāpiti Airport has been shown to bring in $4.3 million in economic benefit and to provide nearly 50 jobs. Add that to the vital role it plays in tourism, aeromedical transfers, civil defence and the safe haven it offers to light aircraft and it’s easy to see why locals want the airport to remain.”

“Regional airports don’t make money, but that doesn’t mean they have no value.”

For many Kāpiti residents the answer lies in some form of public ownership model, a model that has proven successful elsewhere. Taupō, Whanganui, Whakatāne - to name a few - all have airports administered by local government and that are vital assets to their communities and their districts. At the same time, pretty much all major New Zealand cities have secondary airports – Auckland has Ardmore and North Shore, Christchurch has Rangiora and Dunedin has Taieri – so it makes perfect sense to have Kāpiti Coast Airport to continue to serve Wellington.

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“The airport should be central to the region’s growth, not a victim of it.”

And as Air Chathams COO Duane Emeny says, the Kāpiti Coast is a beautiful coastal environment that attracts people and professionals from all walks of life. “Our route performance post-Covid has demonstrated the demand for business day trips into Auckland, with the highest load factors of any of the three mainland routes, he says. “Often we will have a full plane with less than 100 kilograms of checked luggage which is a clear indication that passengers are flying North for work before returning home in the evening. And with Transmission Gully opening next year, the drive time from Southern Porirua to Kāpiti Coast Airport will be less than 10 minutes and open up a whole new market that are frustrated with the constant delays driving south through Wellington to Rongotai Airport.” Kiwis want to keep on connecting – and as long as they do, aviation will be there to make those connections.

T B E A U TIF U L

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Discover Whanganui this weekend.

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

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Why move your business to Whanganui? Lower operating costs Whanganui’s competitive property prices mean more money to invest in growing your business. Ease of doing business From short commutes to welcoming business networks, we keep things moving in Whanganui. Business support Stop by the Innovation Quarter for free business advice, support and networking opportunities.

Smooth set-up Whanganui & Partners will help you navigate consents and compliance. High-calibre peers Whanganui businesses include world-wide exporters and award-winning artists. Great staffing Our people are well trained and educated in a range of fields. Contact us today to get moving! � (06) 349 3119 � whanganuiandpartners.nz

WHANGANUI

There’s always a lot going on in Whanganui, but in January it really pulls out the stops for an unmissable long weekend of retro glamour, music, markets, shindigs and foodie goodness; this is the Bayleys Whanganui Vintage Weekend from 22 to 25 January 2021 and it’s the perfect excuse to head out west.

~GO~

WEST! 16

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“It’s our biggest party” – that’s the billing Whanganui gives this four-day extravaganza, and that’s exactly what it is. A vibrant, festive celebration of the good old days, tastefully brought up to date with something for everyone, and all set against the stunning backdrop of Whanganui’s heritage buildings; with so much going on, the only hard part is knowing where to start.

“All the locals come out to celebrate this great place that we live in”

The Vintage Weekend itself started nine years ago and has gone from strength to strength since then, growing in size and variety to become something of a must see for lovers of retro and vintage styles, magnificent machines and fine food.

The festivities kick off on Friday with several opening events, including The Vintage Social, held at Porridge Watson, Whanganui’s home of craft beer, fine wine and good cheer, but the Whanganui Arts Society Vintage Exhibition is also open from 10am on the

Friday and is well worth a visit for early birds to the Weekend: an exhibition and demonstrations of vintage arts and crafts including carving, spinning, weaving, embroidery, crochet and lots more, it’s a great chance to pick some gifts to take home.

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Avid gift shoppers will also want to make a beeline for Saturday’s Retro Market. Running from 8:30am to 2pm the market’s stalls offer treasures from another era and there is great street food available to nibble as you watch the river roll by, or you can pick up some treats from the local producers, growers and makers. Remember to leave some room – and energy – for the rest of the festivities though: the Mainstreet Caboodle headline event brings the central business district alive with classic cars, steampunk, pop-up heritage portraits, a retro radios exhibition, food stalls, buskers, boutique shopping and so much more.

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There are three separate stages featuring a fashion show, live entertainment showcasing local talent, and a great selection of wining and dining options.

If you fancy something a little more formal, the Doffing Dinner is a prim and proper occasion right in the heart of the city with the doffing of headgear very much encouraged, or for

something a little different there is Absinthe Obscura, billed as an entertainment for grown-ups designed to intrigue, educate and stimulate!

Be part of the fun at the largest, longest running & most diverse art trail event in Aotearoa.

Add it to your calendar and make a weekend of it

20 - 28 March 2021 Studios open throughout the Whanganui Region Various Works, New Zealand Glassworks

openstudios.co.nz A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

Tools for an organised mind

Also on Saturday there is High Tea at the Bushy Park Homestead to take you back in time at this fantastic Edwardian home, and the Whanganui Repertory Theatre Vintage Improv and Music Hall Evening carries on the theme of fun and intrigue from yesteryear with a Saturday night show. For a trip down a slightly more recent memory lane, Sunday’s Riverside Shindig revisits the 80s with the Whanganui River as a backdrop to live music, dancing, a pop-up bar, food trucks and family fun all afternoon. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday, but remember that there are still plenty of things to see and do around the city.

The great thing about the Vintage Weekend is that while it goes from strength to strength it retains an intimate feel good focus

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This is the best time to come to Whanganui, and you probably won’t want to leave. It may be Whanganui’s biggest party, but the great thing about the Vintage Weekend is that while it goes from strength to strength it retains an intimate, feel good focus, with locals keen to welcome visitors to their piece of paradise. As Event Manager Heather Cox says, new events are still being added, so check the website - whanganuivintageweekend.nz - for the latest updates on what’s on. “Bayleys Whanganui Vintage Weekend is when all the locals come out to celebrate this great place that we live in,” Heather says. “Our heritage buildings, our art scene and talent and all the things to do are put on show, and there are vintage cars and fashions everywhere! There’s this unexplainable feeling about Whanganui that we love and we want out of towners to experience. This is the best time to come to Whanganui, and you probably won’t want to leave.”

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.

w w w. w a i m a r i e. co. n z

Available for weddings, work functions, Christmas parties, and special occasions. Contact us at 0800 STEAMER to discuss your requirements. 1a Taupo Quay, Whanganui | ph: 06 347 1863 | em: info@waimarie.co.nz A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

Air Chatham’s fabulous 1945 Douglas DC-3, is coming back to Whanganui for Vintage Weekend 2021! The DC-3 will be flying every day throughout the weekend. Be part of this fun weekend and don’t miss out! A flight in this magnificent aircraft would make an unforgettable Christmas present. Limited seats available. Book at www.airchathams.co.nz

“With so much to do, we make it easy by splitting the programme into ‘Events & Entertainment’ and ‘Magnificent Machines’ … we’ve got more going on in each category this year, so there absolutely is something for every interest, every day”. Yes, it’s their biggest party – and the best part is that we’re all invited!

Whanganui - New Zealand | +64 6 349 0035 sales@q-west.co.nz | www.q-west.com QWestBoatBuilders qwestboatbuilders

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WHAKATĀNE

Sanctuary Island

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED, COURTESY OF WHAKATĀNE DISTRICT COUNCIL

New Zealand is kind of spoilt for national parks and untouched nature, but a small island sanctuary in the Eastern Bay of Plenty really is something special; and there’s never been a better time to visit Moutohorā – Whale Island – just 9 km off the coast of Whakatāne.

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ON A CLEAR DAY, it looks like you can swim – maybe even just wade – to Moutohorā. Popularly known locally as Whale Island, it seems to float lazily in the harbour just a stone’s throw away, calm and serene, beckoning and mysterious. According to locals, when cloud condenses just over the island and Moutohorā ‘wears its hat’ it is a sign of good luck, but in any weather it seems to bring a smile to your face – it’s the perfect southern Pacific isle, verdant and green, a veritable sanctuary just off shore. The 143 ha island is in fact the remains of a once complex volcanic system – now long gone – that has eroded down to the two sleepy peaks we see today; the only hint of its once considerable power remains in the odd whisp of steam from amongst the green on chilly mornings. For local Māori it was a place of refuge and resource – an island escape when conflict came to the mainland, with fish and mutton birds in abundance – and archaeological remains of a major pā (found, naturally, on Pā Hill), as well as gardens and middens, can still be seen there today. Europeans also saw it as a resource, setting up a whaling station (somewhat optimistically; it was abandoned without landing a single whale) and mining rock and sulphur. In 1965 however, Moutohorā was finally recognised as the natural wonder it represents and was declared a wildlife refuge. Purchased by the Crown in 1984, a programme soon got underway to restore the island to what it had once been by eradicating the wild goats that had been introduced and re-establishing native flora and fauna. Over the years some 12,000 plants covering 45 species have now been planted, a kiwi colony has been established, and all cats, rats, stoats and goats have been given an unceremonious heave ho so as to restore it as much as possible to the coastal jewel it was centuries ago.

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A highlight for many are the seals, lazing on the rocks around the island, particularly when the pups are young and at maximum cuteness.

And what a jewel it is. Up close, the shimmering green island in the harbour becomes a richly layered tapestry of native New Zealand plant life. Pōhutukawa, māhoe, kānuka, bracken and grassland abound, resplendent in those certain shades of green that only Aotearoa can do. The most significant feature of Moutohorā’s current animal life is the breeding colony of grey-faced petrels, but sooty shearwaters, little blue penguins, the threatened New Zealand dotterel and variable oystercatchers also breed on the island in addition to more common species of forest birds, captive-bred red crowned parakeets, three lizard species and fur seals, the latter of whom make occasional forays over to the mainland to the delight of Whakatāne locals. More threatened species which are occasional visitors include the Caspian tern, the North Island kaka and New Zealand falcon. And, according to the wonderful world of Harry Potter at least, Moutohorā is also the home of a professional Quidditch team, the Moutohorā Macaws, though sightings are, well, rare. The really good news is that you don’t have to view Moutohorā from afar, but can get up close and personal via one of the guided tours that generally visit the island on a daily basis weather permitting (private landings are not permitted). Ticket prices include landing fees to help support the work carried out on Moutohorā and getting there is a short 15-20 minute boat ride that is manageable even for those whose sea legs are a bit out of practice.

Visit Moutohorā Island Sanctuary Aotearoa’s best-kept secret.

whakatane.nz whakatane.com A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

The tours offer great local knowledge of the island’s history and its flora and fauna, but it’s not all facts and figures and Latin bird names by a long shot. Visitors can take a swim at Onepū/Sulphur Bay, a naturally warm water beach, and even dig their own personal hot pools in the sand along the shore, looking back – for a change – at the mainland that seems a world away. A highlight for many are the seals, lazing on the rocks around the island, particularly when the pups are young and at maximum cuteness. But perhaps the best thing about Moutohorā is that it is ultimately the sum of all its parts; the bird life, the native plants, its ancient history and the more recent story of how so many people came together to help get the island back to as nature intended it. In a world that seems increasingly to be losing the battle against the destruction of our natural environment, Moutohorā stands as something of a beacon – still mysterious and beckoning – but showing us all just what can be achieved.

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A kiwi colony has been established, and all cats, rats, stoats and goats have been given an unceremonious heave ho

January NIGHT OWL CINEMA FRIDAY 15 & SATURDAY 16 JANUARY

2021

SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL

ART IN THE PARK WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY - SULLIVAN LAKE

MOLLY MORPETH CANADAY PAINTING &

Family Friendly fun organised by Sullivan Lake Care Group. Cost: Free

DRAWING EXHIBITION

NATIONAL YOUTH BRASS BAND

SUNDAY 13 FEBRUARY - SUNDAY 4 APRIL

FRIDAY 22 JANUARY Eastern Bay Brass Event

Te Kōputu Exhibition Centre, Whakatāne Cost: Free Presented by Arts Whakatāne and exhibition partner District Council, this national award aims to support and promote artists by presenting painting and drawing work.

DANCE CARNIVAL SATURDAY 30 JANUARY 10am - 12pm. Wharaurangi. Koha

We are excited to be presenting a wide range of amazing arts events for the community this summer season - all organised by local people, and taking place in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Here are the events and dates to put into your diary. All the event details will be coming soon to our website:

www.artswhakatane.co.nz

February WAITANGI DAY REGGAE IN THE PARK SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY Noon. Awatapu Lagoon - the floodgates end. Family friendly event, bring a picnic and enjoy the sunshine and music. Cost: Free

CARVING SYMPOSIUM & ART EXHIBITION

FRESH MARKET JAZZ IN THE PARK SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 5-8 pm. Whakatāne Rose Gardens. Cost: $5 donation Bring a picnic, sit back and enjoy live music. Supported by local acts. Kid friendly - children free!

March QUILT SHOW 26-28 MARCH SCHOOL ART FLORAL ART DEMO

6 - 14 FEBRUARY Whakatane Rose Gardens

ArtChatham Mag half page.indd 1

SHADES OF BLUE 27 MARCH

29/10/20 3:56 PM

AUCKLAND

Café culture, great restaurants and boutique food stores make Auckland foodie heaven. Ponsonby Central, Auckland Image: Camilla Rutherford

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THE

Big SMOKE

ATED AMONG THE WORLD’S 10 MOST LIVEABLE CITIES, Auckland is home to one-third of New Zealanders and has the world’s largest Pacific Island population. This vibrant multicultural mix infuses the region’s cuisine, music, art and culture with colour and diversity, and the subtropical climate promotes casual coastal living and outdoor adventure and activity. And for the other two thirds of us, it’s a great place to visit. So when you’re getting out and about this summer, don’t overlook the big smoke! Perched on a narrow isthmus between two harbours, Auckland is the ultimate marine playground. With the sea at its doorstep, there are so many ways to get out onto the city’s sparkling harbours. As well as providing transport to outer suburbs and islands, the sea influences everything here, from cuisine, industry, culture and design to leisure pursuits and sports activities. The region’s diversity also gives an extra dimension to the visitor experience; within half an hour of the fashionable boutiques and cafés of downtown Auckland, you can be sipping wine at an island vineyard, hiking through rainforest or exploring a black sand beach on the rugged west coast. Here are just a few must-dos in the City of Sails. A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

Waiheke Island Waiheke Island offers a picturesque blend of farmland, forest, beaches, vineyards and olive groves. Its hot, dry summers and stony soils provide ideal wine growing conditions, and some of New Zealand’s best red wines come from there, including Stonyridge Larose that features in the world’s top 20 cabernet blends. The island has a resident community, including many artists, and guided food, wine and art tours are available, with visitor accommodation choices ranging from simple seaside cottages to five-star luxury accommodation such as Delamore Lodge or the Boatshed. Fullers offer a Waiheke Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer for just $68 per person that will take you to all the best stops on Waiheke Island including wineries Stonyridge and Mudbrick, Josh Emett’s Oyster Inn and Onetangi Beach. A return ferry is also included.

Great Barrier Island

Hauraki Gulf islands

Further north, Great Barrier Island has a spectacular, untouched beauty that appeals to adventurers and eco-tourists. Over 70 percent of Great Barrier island is under the Department of Conservation’s jurisdiction, and Glenfern Sanctuary offers native wildlife tours while Earthsong Lodge provides a luxurious eco-retreat in native forest surrounded by panoramic ocean views.

The Hauraki Gulf’s more than 50 islands are accessible by boat, plane or helicopter. Iconic Rangitoto Island - the youngest of Auckland’s volcanoes and the dominating landmark in Auckland’s harbour - has fascinating geology and one of the world’s largest pōhutukawa forests. The Summit Track is the most popular walk on Rangitoto, winding through lava fields and native forest to the peak. At the top, take in panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf across to Auckland. The track features a gentle incline, and it takes about an hour to reach the top. There are informative signage displays along the way, explaining the island’s past volcanic activity, and significant human history.

Getting there is possible with Barrier Air who have multiple flights a day from just $99. Their check in counter is opposite Air Chathams in the Auckland Airport Domestic Terminal.

North of Rangitoto sits the world-class conservation park of Tiritiri Matangi Island - home to more than three million native trees and many endangered birds. From the moment you step onto the island to the moment you leave, you’ll be serenaded by birdsong. Beyond native wildlife, Tiritiri Matangi is also home to a 150-year-old lighthouse, a network of trail walks through lush coastal forest, plus pristine beaches and spectacular views. Fullers (fullers.co.nz) operate daily scheduled services to Rangitoto and Tiritiri Matangi Islands and Heletranz (heletranz.co.nz) offer scenic helicopter flights that take in the islands of the gulf and the city centre.

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Manukau City Manukau City has a rich cultural heritage and is one of the most diverse population centres in the country with more than 165 ethnic groups. The city’s colourful multi-cultural traditions come together on Saturdays at Otara Markets with authentic music, food, and original arts and crafts. Cultural and natural historic treasures include Mangere Mountain and Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve. Created by volcanic eruptions 20,000 years ago, the reserve is an insight into how people once lived and worked on Auckland’s volcanic landscape.

All Sorts of Cars!

Wine lovers can sample some of New Zealand’s award-winning wines at Villa Maria Estate, or head to Clevedon’s boutique wineries and farmers’ market.

Devonport Devonport – within sight and just a quick ferry ride across the harbour from downtown Auckland – is one of New Zealand’s favourite seaside suburbs, with small sandy beaches to be discovered as well as a compact village centre bustling with cafés, shops and galleries, and two volcanic cones offering spectacular views. Devonport has been the home of choice to a creative community that has included some of New Zealand’s most celebrated writers and artists, and Devonport village has an eclectic retro feel with quirky boutiques, galleries, parks, museums and a selection of cafés and restaurants. And for a truly divine treat, the chocolatier at Devonport Chocolates has handmade chocolates and truffles. The headland, stretching out to North Head, is surrounded by sandy white coves with sheltered swimming beaches, and check out the panoramic views from the top of North Head or Mount Victoria – you can even take a fun, guided segway tour to the top.

All Sorts of Rates! Friendly efficient service

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

Image by Jonathan Sieuw

When the going was good!

Just as New Zealanders are being urged to do something new this summer, the Air Chathams DC-3 is here to help. Step aboard this grand old dame of the skies for a trip back in time to the fabulous fifties and swinging sixties when everyone wore hats, it was pounds, shillings and pence, and Kiwis were learning to fly.

In the late 1940s, as New Zealand and pretty much everywhere emerged from years of austerity and loss, it was too soon for most to realise that the Second World War had also brought something of a sea change in transportation. Air travel, once the preserve of prime minsters (rock stars hadn’t been invented yet) had become commonplace to our men and women in uniform – and it was about to become available to the rest of us.

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National Airways Corporation (NAC) air hostess uniforms 1965. NAC went on to be merged with Air New Zealand. AEPK 20231 W2774 (R14847710)

New airfields had been built to serve the war effort (see page 11), young Kiwis had learnt to fly and fix state of the art aircraft, and wartime mass production meant those aircraft were suddenly available in huge numbers. A revolution in affordable air travel had arrived on our doorstep. And leading that revolution was the Douglas DC-3. It had first appeared prior to World War II and it was instrumental in opening up international and long-haul flights. Its range and passenger and cargo carrying capability were largely unrivalled, and for many in the 1930s the DC-3 was their introduction to air travel. With the outbreak of war in 1939 however, the DC-3 found a new military role – and it was one it excelled at: in C-47 guise the aircraft was an essential part of the Allied return to Europe, dropping paratroops behind enemy lines on D-Day, and in 1948-49 it helped feed an entire city, carrying food and fuel during the Berlin Airlift. Though production ceased in the late 40s, the DC-3 just kept on keeping on, in military applications as well as in civil aviation and as a workhorse for industry.

Douglas DC-3 Dakota airplane, taking off from Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Whenuapai, Waitakere City, 1948. WA-13607-F Whites Aviation Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library

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With the outbreak of war in 1939 the DC-3 found a new military role – and it was one it excelled at.

Image by Jonathan Sieuw

In New Zealand, the DC-3 did everything from carrying cargo to mapping the nation and dusting crops, but more importantly for many Kiwis it was their introduction to flight. Visit any regional airport worth its salt and they’ll be black and white photographs of yesteryear, invariably with sleek silver DCs parked with their noses pointing into the sky and the future; they got Kiwis everywhere up, up and away and that’s probably why the DC-3 still has a place in our collective hearts. Air Chathams’ venerable DC-3 – rescued by founder Craig Emeny and known to her friends as ZK-AWP – was built in 1945 and joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force fleet at the end of World War II.

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In 1963 she underwent refurbishment to DC-3 Skyliner status with larger windows, a better public address system, sound proofing, new carpets, curtains, and name – Kaitaia

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Subdivisions Planning and Engineering Aerial Photography and Mapping

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.

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

A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

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Wastewater Consents

For many years she flew freight – always a DC-3 standby – and her name and ownership changed several times. Fitted with longrange fuel tanks she crossed the Tasman and flew outback tours around Australia before relocating to Tonga, which is where Craig Emeny, the founder of Air Chathams, found her in a somewhat neglected state in 2009.

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

Getting her back to this condition has been a long road however. After leaving NAC, Kaitaia ended up in Western Samoa, worked as a topdressing aircraft, and then narrowly avoided being broken up in 1986 when her then owners tossed a coin to decide which of their two DCs was headed for ‘permanent retirement’.

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Farm Mapping

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She spent her early days bringing servicemen back from the Pacific warzone and then flew military supply drops in New Zealand, but she was soon back in action during the Malayan Campaign. In 1952 she hung up her uniform and joined the New Zealand National Airways Corporation or NAC, the fore-runner of Air New Zealand domestic, and it was at this time that she picked up her civilian moniker of ZK-AWP. In 1963 she underwent refurbishment to DC-3 Skyliner status with larger windows, a better public address system, sound proofing, new carpets, curtains, and name – Kaitaia – and a shiny NAC paint job. And that is the livery she now proudly wears again.

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Let’s unlock the potential in your property =

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The DC-3 did everything from carrying cargo to mapping the nation and dusting crops, but for many Kiwis it was their introduction to flight.

Emeny purchased the aircraft and after an extensive overhaul she returned to service in 2010, with 48,862 hours logged, and in 2012 flew back to New Zealand, where once more she became ZK-AWP and was registered to Air Chathams. But hauling freight and dusting crops is no longer Kaitaia’s calling. Instead she is to be found up where she belongs, out and about in regional New Zealand showing Kiwis what it was like to take to the skies when the going was good. She’ll be in the Bay of Plenty at Tauranga’s Classic flyers event in November and December (with return appearances in late January and then February and March), at the Kāpiti Coast Airport and the Bayleys Whanganui Vintage Weekend in January, and proudly supporting Eastern Bay of Plenty Hospice in Whakatāne in February. So to try something new, to take the kids back in time – or, if you’re of a certain age, a walk down memory lane – check airchathams.co.nz for all the details and we’ll see you up there!

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DESTINATIONS AIR CHATHAMS

Norfolk Island

Whakatāne

Whanganui Kāpiti Coast Wellington

Chatham Islands

SERVI

N RE

PRO

Christchurch

GIONA

INCE Z S

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

Auckland

A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

The airline that brings New Zealand together

AIRCRAFT AIR CHATHAMS

Our fleet

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

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

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

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

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

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

A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A I R C H AT H A M S . C O . N Z // S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

Air Chathams brings New Zealand together!

Let Ohope Beach Motel introduce you to the most beautiful beach in New Zealand M 027 777 2292 P 07 312 4159 E office@ohopebeachmotel.nz 52 West End Road • Ohope 3121 www.ohopebeachmotel.nz

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

Image by Jonathan Sieuw

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

SILKS AUDIT Chartered Accountants

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

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

Fly with us

and experience what the Chatham Islands has to offer.

Cameron Town & Talia Anderson-Town

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

Discover the Chatham Islands

YEARS + - EST 1984 -

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

Proudly serving regional NZ

0800 580 127

Air Chats Summer 2020 Inflight Magazine

Articles inside

A SECRET HISTORY Chatham Islands figure large in

SANCTUARY ISLAND Moutohorā/Whale Island is one of the Bay of Plenty’s best-kept secrets, an island sanctuary that awaits.

KEEPING CONNECTED

EVENTS/NEWS The airline that brings New Zealand together.

THE BIG SMOKE Don’t overlook Auckland when planning your summer getaway - it’s so much more

WHEN THE GOING WAS GOOD