Planes and Beaches

Boeing floatplane on Tauranga Harbour, 12 March 1920
Image courtesy of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī, Ref. 99-133

On 12th March 1920 a seaplane crossed the Waikareao Estuary, flew over the Domain and the Military Cemetery to the harbour where the pilot began his descent. He flew in a wide circle towards Whareroa and executed a perfect landing on the water opposite Victoria Wharf then taxied to the beach south of the Town Wharf.

Two hours 14 minutes earlier the seaplane had left Auckland with the pilot Mr. G. B. Bolt and Dr. H. W. Cleary, Catholic Bishop of Auckland aboard. Dr. Cleary was making a pastoral visit to Tauranga, Opotiki and Whakatane. Also on board was the mail to be delivered at various spots along the way.

A large crowd had gathered to witness the plane’s arrival including a group of excited children from the Tauranga District High School who had been given permission to leave their lessons. The mayor Mr. B. Dive and several councillors were present. “Mr Dive said the arrival of the seaplane marked the first air flight to Tauranga but the time was coming when these machines would be as plentiful as cars.” The seaplane left at 11.00am, crossing Hopukiore (Mt. Drury) and heading down the coast to Whakatane and Opotiki. (The Bay of Plenty Times, 12/03/1920)

A beach can be a very handy place to land a small plane as the following photos prove.

Ocean Beach, Mount Maunganui showing aeroplane approaching
Postcard photograph by John Welsh, c. 1922-1924
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0341/10

“Walsh Bros. Aeroplane will be making passenger flights at the Mount from 2 p.m.. tomorrow. Fares as usual. If wind unfavourable for the Mount flights will be made from the Waikareao beach.” (The Bay of Plenty Times, 29 April 1922)
“An aeroplane flew over the town this morning, it approached from the south- west and landed on the Ocean Beach at Mount Maunganui.” (The Bay of Plenty Times, 29 March 1924)

A plane lands on Ocean Beach, c. 1930
Image courtesy of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī, Ref. 03-043

 

A solo pilot ... Early days of flying Tasman" Ocean Beach, Mount Maunganui, c. 1930
Unmounted Kodak Velox vernacular photographic print (57x81mm)
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0217/08

Seaplane at Waikorire (Pilot Bay), Mount Maunganui, c. 1960s
Postcard by N.S. Seaward’s Studio, Broad Bay, Dunedin (Scenic New Zealand Series).
Image collection of Justine Neal