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Each year Air Chathams carries more than 110,000 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.
Cycling Whanganui National Park Courtesy of Whanganui District Council
Air Chats is published by Plenty Limited on behalf of Air Chathams Limited. Copyright 2025 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).
CHATS
WINTER/JUNE/2025 AIR
04 EVENTS/NEWS
The airline that brings New Zealand together.
09 THE FINAL FRONTIER
Are the Chathams the last untamed slice of Aotearoa? Brent Condon went to find out.
14
18
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Custom bike trails, luxury glamping; Kāpiti’s Dirt Farm has it all.
WHERE ELSE ON EARTH
The Whanganui National Park is stunning, unique, and right in our backyard.
24 MEMORIES SET IN STONE
At 111 years not out Whanganui’s Anderson Memorials must be doing something right.
28 WHAT LIES BENEATH
Auckland’s lava caves offer an eerie glimpse into our tumultuous past.
32
SOMETHING IN THE WATER
Wai Manuka takes a taste of the coast from Whakatāne to the world.
14
36 CAST & CATCH
Matt von Sturmer has built two passions into two - very differentbusinesses.
42
GIRLS’ FLIGHT OUT
A new documentary tells the story of a very unique Chathams charter.
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.
Events
Take on a Duathlon this winter in the Eastern Bay
Sunday, 3 August 2025, Port Ōhope, Bay of Plenty www.runningcalendar.co.nz
If you’re in the Eastern Bay of Plenty this winter and like a more physical and gruelling challenge then why not take on the Eastern BOP Triathlon Club Monthly Duathlon for size?
This event is part of a series of Triathlons and Duathlons held on the first Sunday of every month. The August event is a Duathlon with short and long course options for adults and kids 11 yrs+.
Based at Port Ōhope, the course starts and finishes at the eastern end of Harbour Road in the reserve opposite the Ōhope Golf Club.
It’s raining men on the Kāpiti Coast!
Tuesday, 15 July at 11am - 12:45pm Southward Theatre, Paraparaumu, Kāpiti Coast www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/itrs-rainingmen/paraparaumu
Complete with band, we celebrate male ensembles like Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Beatles, Everly Brothers, Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, Queen, The Platters...the list goes on! Featuring: Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, Karl Perigo, Russell Dixon, Matt Pike, Mike Booth, Pete France, Grant Winterburn - NZ Tour 23 June - 24 July 2025.
The Home & Lifestyle Show 2025!
Saturday, 9 till Sunday, 10 August Jubilee Stadium Whanganui www.homeandlifestyleshow.co.nz
The Home & Lifestyle Show returns to Whanganui for a three day expo.
Bringing together the very best in home and lifestyle products and services, browse the stalls and get inspired for your next home DIY project or renovation!
Whanganui Comedy Festival
Saturday, June 14 2025 at 7:30pm
The Royal Whanganui Opera House See www.hellocomedy.co.nz for the full lineup
Hello Comedy promises a not to be missed night of laughs with their 3rd annual Whanganui Comedy Gala! The show features NZ comedy legends and rising stars!
Don’t miss this amazing showcase of comedians featuring Ben Hurley, Josh Thomson, Wilson Dixon, Lana Walter, Kura Turuwhenua and more!
WHANGANUI
Revamp for Whanganui Airport Control Tower
Restoration work has begun on Whanganui Airport’s control tower, with additional plans for a new aviation museum and education centre.
The project, a partnership between Whanganui District Council and Wanganui Airport Control Tower Restoration Group, has financial support from a New Zealand Lottery heritage and environment grant.
The tower was opened in 1961 and closed in 1989, and the restoration has been more than 20 years in the making with the restoration group formed in 2001.
Displays in the museum are expected to include items used when the tower was in operation and visual presentations, with additional items for display are being sought by the restoration team.
It is hoped that the aviation museum and education centre will open on Whanganui Vintage Weekend 2026.
News
Whanganui River 235km paddle in 7 days!
Kiwi Brenden Hawkins has become the first person to paddle the Whanganui River on a surfboard - and all to raise awareness for mental health. He faced challenges like eel attacks, body sores, and missed food drops during the journey. His fundraiser for the I Am Hope Foundation has raised $4600 so far. Hawkins, also known as Tarzan, announced in late January that he would paddle the length of the Whanganui River on a custom-made surfboard to raise money and awareness for the I Am Hope Foundation.
To donate visit www.givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/ first-person-to-paddle-the-whanganui-river-on
World Press Photo Exhibition
The annual World Press Photo Contest recognises the best photojournalism and documentary photography produced over the last year.
Following the announcement of the winners in April, the winning photos then tour the world - going to over 40 countries. Showcasing stunning and sometime confronting images, the exhibition tells the stories of what has been happening across the globe in the last 12 months.
This year, one of the winners is a New Zealand based photographer, Tatsiana Chypsana, with her powerful series called Te Urewera – The Living Ancestor of Tūhoe People. See her stunning photos and many more in the new space at Smith & Caughey’s.
Kāpiti
film begins national screenings
Kāpiti film The People We Love begins national screenings. The tale of family and love was filmed on location in Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast, and marks the feature debut of writer/director Mike Smith. The film features Manon Blackman, Neill Rea, Alison Bruce, Tane Rolfe, and of course the Kāpiti Coast, and has been receiving great reviews since its premier.
Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail 2025
This November the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail will once again surprise and delight, inviting you to explore a wonderland of artist studios, galleries, and shared spaces.
Create a free self-guided tour of discovery around the beautiful Kāpiti Coast, weaving your way through coastal gardens and arty enclaves that will satisfy you with something special at each stop.
Be welcomed by the artists in their studios and indulge in a feast of colour and texture. Take home treasured art pieces that fill your soul and inspire you.
Bring a friend. Escape for the weekend. Wonder awaits…
Artist Dianna Farry painting in her studio
SHOWCASE CHEF AND RECIPES FOR
Chatham Islands Wild Kai
Over the next few editions, we will be bringing you a rich array of mouthwatering recipes from local celebrity chefs – showcasing the wild kai moana and gastro delights that can be gathered on the wild food basket that is the Chatham Islands! Firstly, we have a long-time friend of the Airline Virginia Jeeves the editor of La Vita Magazine celebrating Chathams’ crayfish with a fusion of her own rich culinary Italian heritage!
Affectionately known as Vigella (like Nigella!), Virginia has been tied to her Mumma Rosa’s apron strings since day one. A true foodie at heart, she grew up surrounded by the flavours of home-cooked meals and the freshest kai moana, thanks to her father Mattia, a fisherman from Island Bay, Wellington. Her Pop’s as she likes to name him, arrived in New Zealand at the young age of 17 to fish!
As the Editor of La Vita Magazine, Virginia is celebrating an incredible 10 years of sharing stories, culture, and cuisine. Her love for food and Italy goes beyond the pages—she also curates bespoke tours to Italy, immersing travellers in the rich traditions of food, wine, and history.
Adding to her impressive list of accomplishments, she is the author of Bella Kai, a book that beautifully blends her passion for food and heritage. She has studied law, Virginia is a woman of many talents, but at her core, she believes one simple truth: food creates memories. She loves sharing the recipes she grew up with, keeping traditions alive one dish at a time.
Crayfish Lettuce Cups with Lemon & Olive Oil
INGREDIENTS
2 whole NZ crayfish tails (cooked & chopped)
1 small iceberg lettuce (leaves separated)
3 tbsp olive oil
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt & black pepper to taste
½ small avocado (diced)
1 tbsp fresh chives (chopped)
2 tbsp red onion (finely diced)
1 tbsp capers (drained & chopped)
Italian Red Sauce Crayfish Pasta
INGREDIENTS
2 whole NZ crayfish tails (cut into chunks)
250g pasta (linguine or spaghetti)
3 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion (finely chopped)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 can (400g)
crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
½ tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
½ cup white wine
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil
Zest of ½ a lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh parsley and parmesan for garnish
METHOD
METHOD
1. Make the dressing:
• In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Prepare the filling:
• In a separate bowl, combine chopped crayfish, avocado, red onion, capers, and chives.
• Drizzle the dressing over the mixture and toss gently.
3. Assemble the lettuce cups:
• Spoon the mixture into each lettuce leaf.
• Serve chilled for a fresh and zesty seafood bite.
1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Make the sauce:
• Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
• Stir in chili flakes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, and basil.
• Pour in white wine and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
3. Cook the crayfish:
• Add the crayfish chunks to the sauce and cook for about 5 minutes until just opaque.
• Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and a little pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
4. Serve:
• Toss the sauce with the pasta and plate.
• Garnish with parsley and parmesan.
The Final Frontier
It’s been called the last great untouched, non-commercialised adventure left in the country; Air Chathams’ Marketing and Sales Manager Brent Condon went on a personal journey to the Chatham Islands to find out if it’s true.
IALWAYS SAY THE CHATHAM ISLANDS
are like Stewart Island on steroids; the size of the creatures and the coastline and the marine life really is something to behold. It has an almost Jurassic feel, something you can’t quite describe, but to me what makes it so special is the mix of unique wildlife, unique scenery, and unique cultures; Moriori, Māori, sealers, settlers and whalers, it’s seen it all throughout a very volatile history. And that history seems palpable even now.
I’m lucky enough to have friends there, and while I’ve visited as part of my job, I wanted to take some time to travel there on my own time and experience the Chatham Islands as the last frontier for outdoor adventures.
I was lucky enough to meet local woman and ‘bee whisperer’ Kaai Silbery, whose company Tarahina Honey is doing amazing things with exporting locally produced honey, and she asked me if I was taking the kayak out on the ocean. I said I certainly was, and she asked me if my kids were old enough to take care of themselves - “because to the great white sharks you’re going to look like lunch!”
Because what the Chatham Islands has, unlike other parts of the world, is a very healthy number of large sharks! Large sharks, I was told, love fresh bait, and I’d brought some heavy gear with me, so got some juicy kahawai heads - and went on a bit of a mission!
Now, the beautiful thing is that it doesn’t take long for the sharks to sniff them out; you just drop the spool on your casting reel and point the rod towards the water and let it free flow; so I let a shark take my line and free spool, but to be honest all I’m hearing in my head is that famous cello from the Jaws movie! It goes, stops and it goes again for a bit, then it goes off for a little bit more - and then the line goes absolutely berserk! You then tighten up on the line, strike for a Hail Mary and you’re in.
Some of these sharks are not exactly small, being 12 - 13 foot Seven Gills. These are some of the most ancient sharks in the world, with eyes like they were spawn from the depths of helland they fight like something from the depths of hell. I look back at growing up around the
Manukau Harbour, when bragging rights were a few sprats and a 2kg kahawai - fast forward to taking a full sized shark off a Chathams wharf and the young jetty rat’s mind is blown!
The eyes of these sharks are primal and blood red, with an almost florescent orange fleck at the sides that burns like lava. They say the eyes are the gate way to the soul - if indeed you have one! - and being up close and personal with a species that is 200 million years old with volcanic eyes somehow made me feel very small and insignificant on this planet.
That was just one episode in a week of adventure; hunting, bird watching, seeing the stars over the Southern Ocean. But it seems to sum up my whole week on the Chathams. When you have a love for hunting and fishing, it sometimes seems that it has all been discovered, all been done. A trip to the Chathams proves that wrong. It really is the last frontier of New Zealand and maybe of the South Pacific, and you really need to go there while the going is good.
Whether you’re chasing waves, or chilling under the coastal glow, weekends here are full of laid back vibes and a sense of freedom. Here, you can rediscover your magic.
Whip up to the Kāpiti Coast - visitkapiti.co.nz
NOTHING BEATS A FAST AND FURIOUS thrash through purpose-built, downhill mountain bike trails - except, possibly, capping it off with a touch of great outdoors glamping! It’s the perfect end to a day on the trails, and if everyone in your gang is not a fan of trail bashing then it’s the perfect alternative! And at Dirt Farm on the Kāpiti Coast, you can get the best of both worlds.
Located in the foothills of the Tararua Ranges, Dirt Farm is the brainchild of Carina Munro and Tim Browne. Tim’s parents bought the 155 acre block 20 years ago and planted it in a variety of exotic and native trees; fast forward 10 years and Tim - an avid mountain biker - set about following every fellow biker’s dream by turning the block into a dedicated downhill mountain bike park.
The accommodation - six glamping units and two cottages - was originally intended to compliment the trails, but over time has moved to the forefront of the business: each unit is named after a native bird, and the homes away from home feature an array of vintage items Carina has collected over the years; some have gas barbeques, and all have access to a communal dining area and a wood-fired pizza oven. There is also an alfresco hot tub, and all of this is situated in a fantastic natural setting that has been curated by the couple with passion and an eye for detail.
The two cottages each have a large main room, an adjoining bathroomand a veranda for stunning humble brag photo opportunities! - while the tents are insulated, light and airyand guaranteed to blow the minds of younger family members! Glamping is self-catered whilst continental breakfasts and wine and cheese platters are provided to cottage guests.
“We originally intended to just build a house,” says Tim, “but I was really into mountain biking and in my infinite wisdom decided to build a bike park! Over time we realised we loved having people stay and experience everything Dirt Farm has to offer, not just the biking. So we shifted our focus to the accommodation, revamping our trails to cater to a wider range of bikers, walkers, runners and nature lovers. I think part of the appeal is that you are totally off the grid, miles away from civilization, but still have all the creature comforts of home and are only a stone’s throw from Wellington and Palmerston North.”
Where else on earth
MANY KIWIS LOVE THEIR NATIONAL PARKS and make them a feature of family holidays and great escapes from the rat race; but to many others the phrase national park conjures images of bird spotting and freezing huts, stinging nettles and long drops. And that is a shame, because there’s so much more to these vast swathes of Aotearoa - and the Whanganui National Park is the perfect example of this.
Part nature reserve, part history lesson, part cultural experience, part workout, the Whanganui National Park has something for everyone, and if you only visit one national park make it this one!
Photos Whanganui District Council
Established in 1986, Whanganui National Park is a whopping 742 square kilometres in size. While the Whanganui River flows through the Park, it is not considered to be part of the Park itself, and yet exploring the river by canoe or kayak has to be one of the best ways to experience the Park. The water is a stunning jade green and the river banks tower up magically on either side; and best of all, as it is actually listed as one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, as you float on down the river you are technically walking on water!
The full river journey takes five days, staying at Department of Conservation huts and sites along the way, but you can also take bite-sized and more family friendly excursions with guides and meals provided, either by canoe, kayak or jet boat. There are also packages that include some cycling and hiking, so you can really mix and match to suit your schedule and skill set.
For those wanting to stay on dry land there is even more to do. The Park is steeped in natural history, but also in the history of Māori and early European settlement, and there is no better way to get close to that than by walking the whenua. A great place to start is the 16km Atene Skyline Track loop, a challenging route of about five and a half hours, great for backpacking, birding, and camping, or for something more sedate try the Te Maire Loop; at just 4km it is a great scenic walk through stunning podocarp.
If you are on two wheels or four, the Whanganui River Road links Whanganui to Pīpīriki and is beautifully scenic, but for something a little less ordinary why not join Tracey Marshall’s mail run and let her do the driving for you!
Tracey is a local who drives from Whanganui to Pīpīriki five days a week delivering mail and the local papers, and as part of her run and in conjunction with Whanganui Tours, she takes visitors on a guided tour as she goes. Her firsthand knowledge of where she grew up gives real insight into the local history, and her interactions delivering mail along the way offer a glimpse into this rural community that’s hard to beat.
Tracey makes a stop at the picturesque Koriniti Marae before moving on to the Matahiwi Café and Gallery, which is home to memorabilia from Vincent Ward’s 2005 movie River Queen, and then Morikau Station, which has stunning views thanks to it’s elevation. After that it’s on to Hiruhārama Jerusalem — 66km up Whanganui River Road, which once served as the home of noted poet James K Baxter.
Baxter arrived there is 1969 and founded a commune, though thanks to its somewhat unorganised nature, as it grew it raised concerns amongst locals. Eventually disbanded, it was resurrected on the proviso that no more than ten inhabitants could live there, but it is now just a memory.
Top is Whanganui River, bottom is Sisters of Compassion Convent
Much, much more than a memory are the Sisters of Compassion, a Catholic order founded in Jerusalem in 1892. In addition to having a special place in New Zealand history - the founder Sister Aubert is in the process of being canonised as New Zealand’s first Catholic Saint - the old Convent building is a great place to rest if you are cycling or hiking, offering self-catered overnight stays, though meals can be arranged if booked in advance. It’s a beautiful, tranquil - and very uniqueway to break your journey through the Park.
And that’s what makes the Whanganui National Park worth exploring; it’s quirky, friendly, beautiful and authentic, and it’s right here in our backyard. There’s the Bridge to Nowhere, the amazing testament to Kiwi stubbornness and endurance, built to serve a community being hewn from the bush, a community that has now vanished; the Flying Fox, an eco-friendly retreat that can only be reached by an aerial cable car, that offers everything from rustic camping to funky glamping complete with catering; Tīeke Kāinga, the only Department of Conservation hut that is also a working marae; and The Chef’s Table restaurant at Blue Duck Station, accessible by four wheel drive and serving world-class cuisine literally in the middle of nowhere.
For genuine ‘where else on earth’ moments, nowhere does it better.
From new builds to renovations and light commercial work, we put care and attention into every project. Big or small, your project deserves expert craftsmanship, and we’re here to deliver it—creating spaces you’ll love to live and work in. Let’s make something amazing together.
Scenes from Jerusalem
Memories SET IN STONE
In our modern world of everchanging technologies and market forces, it’s a rare thing that a family business can span two or three generations, but Whanganui’s Anderson Memorials has seen an incredible four generations guide the company through thick and thin.
It was founded in 1914 by Andrew Peter Anderson - known as AP - who handed it on to his sons Nelson and Leslie Peter Anderson - known as LP. Next came LP’s sons Peter and Richard Anderson and in turn their sons Daryl and Tony Anderson. It is Tony Anderson who has had the reins of the business for the last 20 years. The fifth generation is in the wings with Tony’s older son Daniel having worked in the business and completed his apprenticeship before making the decision to travel; he is currently bringing up his family in Australia. Tony’s younger son Dylan also works in the business during school holidays. That’s a remarkable 111 years of serving the Whanganui, Manawatū, Rangitikei, Waimarino and South Taranaki regions from their Somme Parade site - rather coincidentally located right by the Aramoho Cemetery.
“Bill Wilkins was the Heads Road Cemetery Sextant for 42 years,” says Tony, “and the story goes that Bill was AP’s father-in-law so he heard about the proposed new cemetery and started the business nearby! And we’ve been on the site unchanged since then.”
One thing that has changed has been the technology and methods involved in headstone creation. “Back in the day it was hand drawn lettering and all hammer and chisel to get the inscription onto the stone,” Tony says. “The next significant advancement was the move to computer generated layouts and hand sandblasting but now we also use an automated engraving machine - a CNC Autoblaster - which is obviously much faster and more efficient.”
AP Anderson, LP Anderson & Jack Check at Pūtiki late 1920s
Walking around the premises history can be seen everywhere, from the A-frame tripod used to erect monuments at the turn of the century (that is stored in the rafters of the truck shed), to Death Notices cut from the local papers dating back to 1903, and the Order Book system that Richard created with the first book starting in March 1975. Deborah, Tony’s wife, says “The team are very aware that we are part of something special, it is not just an 8 – 5 job, instead we are continuing a tradition.”
Anderson Memorial’s head office and workshop are in Whanganui, and they have showroom branches in Palmerston North and Feilding also to assist customers in selecting a memorial for their loved one in the numerous cemeteries and urupā throughout the regions. They are also proud that all work is carried out locally - as opposed to being outsourcedas it makes for a more seamless experience for customers.
Vintage Staff Photo - Peter Anderson, Richard Anderson, Tony Anderson, Daryl Anderson & LP Anderson
Continuing traditional craftsmanship with a few modern touches
“ I am fortunate to go to work each day and know the memorials our fantastic team are creating will be in place for generations to come”
Deborah & Tony Anderson
“We work hard to please the customer and give them the memorial they envisage,” Tony says. “I think one of the reasons the business has endured is because of that, and because we are trained and qualified craftsmen and use the highest quality materials and standards. I am fortunate to go to work each day and know the memorials our fantastic team are creating will be in place for generations to come,” Tony says. “And we also get to help people through a difficult process and help them find some closure following a bereavement. It’s worth remembering that there’s no right or wrong time to install a headstone; there is no rush, it’s better to wait till you feel the time is right.”
And with 111 years of history behind them, it’s a fair bet that when the time is right Anderson Memorials will be there to help.
www.anderson-memorials.co.nz
Before and after images of memorial restoration work
A lot of people don’t know the caves even exist
“The crust solidifies, but the molten lava inside continues to flow, and when the eruption finishes it flows out the other end and leaves this hollow tube or tunnel. Some can be very short - just a few metres - but others can be quite long. The longest we have in Auckland is the Wiri cave, which is around 290 metres long.”
“Part of what our team does is deal with accidental discoveries of lava caves,” Christina says, “which are typically found during earthworks or construction work. When someone is digging a hole in the ground, they may then crack into the roof or into part of a lava cave. Some people are unaware that the caves are protected, but hopefully they contact our team and we document it and work with the person who’s found it to figure out the next steps.”
Those next steps may include sealing the cave for safety reasons and to deter vandals, or developing construction methodologies to reduce vibration, as well as working with geotechnical engineers to re-design structures over and around caves safely. But it is a basic principle that the caves are not filled in and are instead preserved for future generations.
Perhaps the most bizarre use of a cave
was during the early years of WW2
This has not always been the case sadly. “Early Europeans tended to use the caves as dumping grounds,” says Kate. “They can often be found filled with household rubbish and empty beer bottles, although they were also used for things like growing mushrooms. For Māori, the caves are sacred as they were often used as burial sites, where the remains of ancestors were laid to rest; sadly many of these remains were stolen over the years. But the caves were also used for storage of things like kūmara and even for getting from A to B.”
Perhaps the most bizarre use of a cave was during the early years of WW2, when New Zealand Communist Party members Sid Scott and Gordon Watson set up a clandestine printing press in the Wiri cave. The Party had been driven - literally - underground because of Moscow’s (soon to be broken) pact with Nazi Germany, and the press was used to
produce its broadsheet the People’s Voice, which was then smuggled out of Auckland and distributed around the country. Scott and Watson worked in dark, damp and cramped conditions for months until three schoolboys stumbled on the cave and alerted Police in September 1940; neither of the two men were there at the time and evaded arrest.
Someone else used to working in cold damp lava caves is Chirag Jindal, the founder and director of Arclab, one of New Zealand’s leading surveying companies. Chirag became aware of the work of Peter Crossley, who for decades has been documenting the lava caves, and after meeting him joined in a project to accurately map the caves using terrestrial light detection and ranging (LIDAR). The detailed 3D imagery created by Chirag offers an incredible - and quite beautiful - glimpse into the caves, but also helps to place them not only in our physical landscape but in our mental landscape too.
“I first met Peter about eight years ago,” Chirag says, “and we talked about how some of the caves were being destroyed and the need to record the caves in some way. Given my architectural background my interest was in the relationship between the caves and the built environment.
These datasets are not only for archival purposes and resource consenting, but also about revealing the landscape and bringing it into the public forum. A lot of people don’t know the caves even exist, so this was a way of bringing them into our urban and collective narrative, which means they are much less likely to be dismissed and destroyed.”
“Some caves are surprisingly large, up to seven metres in height” Chirag says, “in others you are on your hands and knees. There is a cave in Māngere the speleologists call ‘The cave of a thousand press ups’ - mapping it was a decent upper body workout!”
Auckland’s lava caves are not always treated with respect.
Credit Auckland Council
The caves are not filled in and are instead preserved for future generations
Chirag’s work has been exhibited in New Zealand and overseas, and will be culminating in a publication of imagery and essays next year. “The book will be about asking the questions of how we relate to them, their pre-colonial past, their future, and what do they mean to us. We’re surrounded by these lush green hills, and that is our understanding of the volcanic landscape; it’s only when you go into the lava caves that you begin to understand the volatility of the landscape.”
A frantic scramble to meet deadlines began - and then, history repeated itself. “Yeah, things started blowing up again!” laughs Joe. “Holy Heka! We had bottles exploding on the production line and lost thousands of dollars’ worth of product - all while pouring our savings into what felt like a bottomless pit and managing stress levels we didn’t know we had!”
But they got through it and securing a spot in one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting events, alongside global giant Coca-Cola, gave Wai Mānuka an unprecedented launch to market. “That opportunity opened our eyes to the possibility of taking Whakatāne to the world,” says Joe. “If we were serious about creating an iconic Kiwi brand, we had to start thinking globally.”
And that’s how Joe found himself overseas on government trade missions to the Middle East, North America, and across Asia. “One of the silver linings of COVID was how it put wellness front and centre. People everywhere were doing more to look after themselves and each other. That shift, along with the Aotearoa provenance story, the mānuka honey factor, and the global rise in non-alcoholic drinks, created the perfect backdrop to launch Wai Mānuka. People want to feel connected to something that brings them meaning, it has to be authentic and reflect their values. That’s exactly what we set out to bottle.”
“We wholeheartedly believed in what we were doing but the thing with growing a fastmoving consumer brand is you’re constantly burning capital! At times, it’s scary, especially when you’re burning through your life savings, you’ve sold your home, and you’re basically paying to work in the business. It’s in those moments of self-doubt, when emotions are high, that you’ve got to find a reason to keep going. The only way this was going to end was if the bank or the taxman said stop!”
“People want to feel connected to something that brings them meaning, it has to be authentic and reflect their values. That’s exactly what we set out to bottle.”
Post-COVID, there was an initial surge in growth but as costs rose, supply chain issues mounted, and disposable incomes shrank, the hard times returned. It became a case of hunkering down and battling on. But the hard yards are starting to pay off: Wai Mānuka has expanded globally, with trials underway in Japan and New York, and initial discussions taking place in China and the Middle East.
One of the Wai Mānuka founders and chief executive Joe Harawira
“A little taste of Aotearoa in a glass.”
“Just cracking one of those markets would be a game changer. Whenever I travel for business, I’m always struck by the regard the world has for New Zealand, our country, our people, and our culture. There’s so much about Aotearoa that the world loves and trusts. I’ve never liked it when we say, ‘we punch above our weight,’ because it downplays the fact that we’re genuinely world-leading in so many areas. Even with all the global uncertainty, it just reinforces the importance for Kiwi businesses to focus on what we’re good at, back ourselves, trust the reputation we’ve built, and stay the course. We know we’ve got a great product and a strong brand, and it’s an honour to represent our country and our culture on the world stage.”
The Ultimate ‘Ōhope Beach Holiday Living’
Ohope Beach Resort offers 20 modern Holiday apartments with 4 Penthouses. Our facilities include two swimming pools, a 20m lap pool, two new spa pools, a tennis court, gym, sauna, games room and a large conservatory, all within 200m walk to Ōhope Beach and Ōhiwa Harbour.
Being able to combine your passion with your work is something few of us achieve. Going one better and turning two passions into successful businesses, involving your family along the way, all while being as environmentally sustainable as possible is surely then the stuff of dreams?
Meet Matt von Sturmer.
For more than 25 years Blacksand Bronze, the company Matt runs together with wife Carmen Sosich and daughter Trelise von Sturmer, has produced world-class bronze architectural hardware that sells throughout New Zealand and the world - and all with pride and passion in Waiheke Island’s Onetangi!
At the same time, Matt’s other great love in life - fishing - is driving his second business in the form of Saltflyfish, a saltwater fly fishing operation that aims to highlight conservation as much as it does to ensure great fishing yarns. It’s a heady mix, and not a bad one for a self described ‘wharf rat’ from Birkenhead.
Matt von Sturmer with wife
Carmen Sosich and daughter Trelise von Sturmer
His career has seen Matt create everything from jewellery to furniture and civic artworks - “Basically, because no one told me to stop!” - and has led to Blacksand Bronze, homed in an old boatbuilding workshop in the aforementioned Onetangi. “People hear Onetangi and think beachfront - but we’re next to a fire station! And we don’t do the romantic part - the melting and casting - here, that is sent over to our foundry, but all design and finishing is done here, so it’s nice to keep all production local. And we’ve ended up with a very ‘circular’ production system where everything is recycled and we don’t use solvents or toxins. This kind of work can be very polluting, but we’ve honed it down to be much more environmentally friendly.”
What do you get when you mix an Interior Designer and a Real Estate salesperson?
Rachel Gray
As an expert in both industries, I have a wealth of knowledge that will be invaluable when buying or selling your home.
If you are thinking of making a move, talk to me today!
Rachel Gray Residential/Lifestyle Sales Consultant M 027 323 3636 E rachel.gray@pb.co.nz rachelgray.pb.co.nz
The inspirations for Blacksand Bronze’s designs are also locally sourced and looking to the natural environment. “Yeah, I think it’s just that simple immersion in nature thing. And you know, for me, it’s all very ocean-orientated. So there are designs in there that we’ve done for many, many years, that we call a wave, and they’re obvious, but then we’ve got some more minimalist designs that are really just trying to be simple, refined, and honest.”
The ocean connection brings us neatly to Matt’s other line of work, Saltflyfish, which sees him guiding saltwater fly fishing tours in the waters around Waiheke.
“Saltflyfish is almost like legitimising an obsessive passion for saltwater fly fishing! “he says. “Saltwater fly fishing has a bit of a history, it’s a little bit more rock and roll than trout fishing.
It is influenced by the sort of 70s and 80s in Florida Keys, rum-fuelled gangster poets, artists, writers, it’s more manic than the very contemplative trout fishing. Today a lot of people who do it are typically people, in a way, like myself I think, who have busy minds and really need a high level of engaging activity to relax!”
“Also, because you have to think so much about it, it makes you realise the value of fishing. People who live in coastal communities are often really aware of how things work in the natural world, and the importance of conserving this resource and utilising it wisely.”
“It can be the most stupid way to catch fish, because there’s so much that can go wrong, but when it all comes together it’s very satisfying!”
“Looking back, it was brave but definitely fuelled by a lot of enthusiastic naivety.”
Girls’ Flight Out
FOR YEARS AIR CHATHAMS
has been proud to be a part of a very special initiative which sees groups of Chatham Islands women flying to Christchurch for two-yearly mammograms. The programme has been instrumental in detecting breast cancer for women who have limited access to preventative medical care, and now the charters - popularly known locally as the ‘titty flights’! - are the subject of a new documentary film.
Titled ‘Girls’ Flight Out’, the short documentary will involve a week’s filming on the Chathams in July, says director Anna Pearson, who first heard about the mammogram trips while visiting friends on the Chathams a decade ago.
Nick Kowalski
Ocean Mead
Anna Pearson
Approximately 2800 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand every year
“I was researching a magazine article at the time and the conversation turned to what services were not available on the island, like a dentist,” Anna says. “Someone mentioned the ‘titty flights’ and I was like, ‘What?!’ It captured my imagination and just seemed such a cool story and for years it sat in the back of my mind. It also seemed really suited to the screen as opposed to an article, and I knew I wanted to do it as a documentary, but just wasn’t sure how.”
That was until she mentioned the idea to fellow filmmaker Nick Kowalski at the end of last year. “Nick was just as excited about the concept as I was,” Anna says, “and that kind of kick-started things.”
Anna is no stranger to filmmaking, having directed her first short filmNancy - in 2021, and her background in journalism has seen her work everywhere from Antarctica to Zambia. Nick, who is also an award-winning cameraman, came on board as director of photography, and the crew was complete with the arrival of producer and photographer Ocean Mead. Anna was also fortunate to have documentary filmmaker Vanessa Wells provide mentorship, offering advice, experience and answers to difficult questions.
There followed some nerve-wracking phone calls to pitch the film to the relevant health organisations, and also to Air Chathams seeking permission to film on the aircraft, but the response was resoundingly positive.
“I think everyone recognises the uniqueness of the programme, but also just how important the flights are; they literally save lives. If women had to individually organise flights and accommodation, many would probably just put it off till later - which can be a real danger.”
A danger indeed. Approximately 2800 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand every year and it is the leading cause of nontobacco-attributable cancer deaths for women.
ScreenSouth has been involved in coordinating screening for Chatham Islands women since 2017, and has provided approximately 350 screens in that time. Out of those, seven participants were diagnosed with breast cancer and started treatment, so it is clear that screening and early detection are critical.
“The ladies all have their mammograms done on arrival and then stay around for at least a few days to see if they need any call backs,” Anna says. “The images are read in record time to fit that in, and most also take the opportunity to catch up with some shopping and friends, which I imagine helps in what can be a stressful time.”
Our fleet
Air Chathams has a fleet of 9 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.
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
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
Soar High, Spend Low!
* Fares are 1-way, per person. Carry-on baggage ONLY. Checked-in baggage can be purchased. T&Cs apply and only available on select dates and flights.
