New Zealand’s First Licensed Scheduled Air Service — Haast Junction, New Zealand
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Dunbar Loop
S 43° 51.661 E 169° 02.753
59G E 342963 N 5141707
An overview of New Zealand's first scheduled air service and the impact it had on South Westland, an isolated part of the nation.
Waymark Code: WM830A
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 01/18/2010
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member monkeys4ever
Views: 4
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Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of New Zealand’s First Licensed Scheduled Air Service

On 18 December 1934, pioneer airline Air Travel (NZ) Ltd, founded by Captain J.C. (Bert) Mercer, commenced air services from Hokitika to South Westland with de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth ZK-ADI.

Places on the early scheduled service were, at various times, Whataroa, Waiho (Franz Josef), Weheka (Fox Glacier), Bruce Bay, Haast, Upper Okuru, Ohuru (Mussel Point) and Jackson Bay.

The air service was taken over by New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC) in 1947 and by West Coast Airways Ltd (WCA) in 1956.

Nearby Haast Aerodrome was the main southern terminus for the passenger, airmail, freight and air-ambulance service provided by Air Travel, NAC and WCA. The air service greatly reduced the isolation of all who lived in South Westland, before any road access was completed.

The world’s longest running de Havilland biplane air service ended in March 1967, due to the effects of the new Haast Highway.

Dedicated on 19 December 2009.

Group that erected the marker: unknown

URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]

Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Haast Visitors Centre
Junction of SH6 & Jackson Bay Road
Haast Junction, Westland New Zealand
0000
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