Ansett's service to the Chatham Islands

UPDATED March 2026

In April 1954 TEAL ended its service to the Chatham Islands as it withdrew its Short Solent flying boats from its fleet leaving the Department of Island Territories with the problem of providing an air service to the Chathams. The Department looked across the Tasman for a solution to having no civil operators using flying boats. At that time Ansett Airways was the only available airline operating flying boats in the region, and the Department chartered the Australian airline to provide a number of flights to the Chathams over the summer of 1955-1956 using their Short S25 Sandringham flying boats. 

The Sandringhams were civilianised Short Sunderlands, the type which were being used by the RNZAF. The charter necessitated Ansett positioning an empty Sandringham from Sydney to Wellington before making the return flight to the Chathams and then returning empty to Sydney making it an expensive solution.

On the 4th of October 1955 the Evening Post reported that thirty-five sightseeing visitors from Tasmania would arrive by Ansett Airline Sandringham flying-boat at Bluff on the 29th of October 1955. The following day they were to be flown over the southern lakes and along the Alps to Wellington. They were then to travel by road to visit Napier, Taupo, and Rotorua in the course of a five-day tour to rejoin the flying boat at Auckland on the way home to Tasmania. The newspaper report said while the tourists were making their coach tour the Sandringham was make a side flight to the Chatham Islands. 

A couple of weeks later, on the 13th of October 1955, the Evening Post reported that Flying-boat flights from Evans Bay to the Chatham Islands are to be made on November 1 and again early in December as a result of arrangements the Government has made with an Australian company, Ansett Airways, Ltd. The Minister in Charge of Civil Aviation (Mr. Shand) said he expected the second flight to be about December 10. The arrangements were the result of a sustained effort to provide transport for the ever-increasing passenger demand between the Chatham Islands and New Zealand. Inquiries concerning passengers should be made to Ansett Travel Service, Wellington, or to the Resident Commissioner, Chatham Islands, said Mr. Shand. A single fare would cost £20. The present proposals hinged on Ansett Airways being able to carry out the service between the time of landing a party of tourists at Bluff and the return flight from Auckland. It was hoped that further flights might take place in the autumn, but that depended on the arrangement of additional tourist flights from Australia. 

 

Referring to the Chatham Islands pressure for a regular service by landplane, Mr, Shand said it was unlikely such a service could be inaugurated at a cost of less than £20 per passenger, and the reaction of the lslanders to the temporary service would be taken as a guide to the prospects of establishing a regular service in the future. "lslanders may press the Government to subsidise the service, but I would point out that they will in any case be asking the Government to establish an airfield in the islands without the 50 per cent. payment commonly required of local bodies," said the Minister. Radio facilities would have to be provided before a regular service could be run and this would represent a very substantial hidden overhead on a weekly service. Mr. Shand said that the flying-boat service to the Chatham Islands had never been an economic activity. Fares, freights, and mail charges collected each year failed to meet the direct operating costs by the following amounts, which had been made good by payments to the operating companies by the Government: 1949-50 (NAC), £1877; 1950-51 (Teal), £1357; 1951-52 (Teal), £1234; 1952-53 (Teal), £1516; 1953-54 (Teal), £434. Nonetheless the Chathams isolation did necessitate some form of service.

The Press, 6 October 1955

The first flight was made on the 1st of November 1955 by Ansett Flying Boat Services Pty Ltd’s Short S25 Sandringham VH-BRE, Pacific Chieftain. The Evening Post reported that day that an early start on its flight to the Chatham Islands was made this morning by Ansett Travel Service's Short Sandringham flying-boat Pacific Chieftain. Punctually at 6.30am the aircraft took off from Evans Bay and circled over the harbour. Just after passing Point Halswell, it flew low past the inter-Island steamer Hinemoa coming in from Lyttelton, The aircraft was carrying 18 passengers and some 2000lb of freight. This was mainly mail matter, but it included about 600lb of fruit, small goods, and other foodstuffs. Sausages formed a major part of the small goods, but the islanders will be disappointed not to receive any ice-cream. Because of the early departure of the flying-boat and there being no cold storage at the Evans Bay base, it was not possible to arrange for the delivery of ice-cream. The Pacific Chieftain is expected to arrive back at Evans Bay about 3 o'clock this afternoon. From Wellington it will fly up to Auckland to embark the 36 Tasmanian tourists who came across on it last week and who have been touring the South and North Islands. 

Plans for a second flight coinciding with the next "air cruise" on the 30th of November or the 1st of December didn't come to pass. Instead on the 9th of December it was announced that the Government had successfully concluded negotiations with Ansett Airways for one of its flying-boats to make a return flight to the Chathams on Friday, December 16, and, if there is sufficient traffic io warrant it, a second flight on Saturday, December 17. The Minister of Island Territories (Mr. Macdonald) said yesterday that the flying-boat would depart from Evans Bay at 8am, but intending passengers should report at the flying-boat base at 5am. The fare would be the same as on the last fight, namely £20 each way, and freight would cost 1/- a pound Ansett Travel Service, Commercial Bank Building, Lambton Quay, would handle all bookings. Mr. Macdonald said that the regular passenger vessel was to be laid up in a few days’ time. The cost to the Government of the air charter would not be light, but it recognised the claims of the Chatham Islanders to receive some special consideration because of their isolation and difficult communications.

In the end only one flight was operated with Short S23 Sandringham VH-BRE Pacific Chieftain flying to the Chathams on the 16th of December 1955 as reported in the Evening Post of that day...  On a Santa Claus flight, an Australian Sandringham flying-boat specially chartered by the New Zealand Government, left Evans Bay at 7 o’clock this morning for the Chatham Islands. The aircraft was carrying 24 passengers and one and a half tons of Christmas mail and other good things for the islanders. The latter included 1060lb of sausages, fruit, a live turkey, whisky, and a goodly consignment of ice cream, the last-mentioned for a children’s Christmas party to be held at Waitangi. The ice cream was loaded into the aircraft a few minutes before it took off, there being no refrigeration plant at Evans Bay. the local manager for Ansett Travel Service (Mr. T. J. T. Gwatkin), said the flying-boat was expected to arrive back at Evans Bay this afternoon and would leave at 9 o’clock on Sunday morning for Sydney to resume its normal flights thence to Lord Howe Island and Hobart. 

The next flight to the Chathams was flown on the 31st of January 1956. The Evening Post reported, The Short Sandringham flying-boat chartered by the New Zealand Government from Ansett Airways, Ltd., to take Ministry of Works contractors to the Chatham Islands left Evans Bay this morning at 6.07am. Altogether she is carrying 32 passengers, 27 of whom are the contractors, and is expected back again today at 3.30 pm with a full load of passengers and freight. The flying-boat will leave for the Chathams again on Thursday at 6am with a heavy load of passengers, freight, and mail. A second flight was flown on the 2nd of February. A couple of days before the flights the Press had reported that, On the return flight this week the flying-boat will bring back to the mainland a number of post-primary school children who have been spending their Christmas holidays in the Chathams with their parents.

A final flight for the summer season was flown in March 1956. The Evening Post reported on the 9th of March 1956 that The Acting Minister of Island Territories (Mr Algie) today announced that arrangements were being made with Ansett Airways for one of their flying-boats to make a trip to the Chatham Islands on Tuesday, March 20. Mr Algie stated that the flight was being arranged to help those who had been waiting for some time to travel to or from the Chathams, but who were unable to do so because of the temporary withdrawal of the passenger-carrying vessel which normally serves the islands. The vessel has been replaced by a larger ship which was not equipped to carry passengers. The flying-boat will fly from Evans Bay and will make the return trip in one day, and as in the past, bookings will he handled by Ansett Travel Service, Commercial Bank Buildings, Lambton Quay, Wellington. 

The  flight was actually operated on the 22nd of March 1956 by Short Sandringham VH-BRC under the command of Captain L. Butterworth. The Evening Post on the 21st reported, The Ansett Airways chartered Sunderland flying-boat, which was to have left Evans Bay this morning for the Chatham Islands, was unable to leave its berth owing to a broken stay wire on one of the floats. The wire was broken by the launch when the flying-boat was being berthed yesterday and the boat will now leave tomorrow at 6am. When the Sunderland leaves tomorrow there will be 35 passengers on board. The flying-boat is due back here at approximately 3pm tomorrow and is scheduled to return to Auckland on Friday morning. From there it will take tourists it brought over here earlier in the year back to Australia on Saturday morning.

Following the success of these flight a further series of three flights was arranged for the following summer. 

A letter dated the 10th of October 1956 from the Treasury to the Minister of Finance recorded, On 8 October 1956 Cabinet authorised the Department of Island Territories to arrange three return flights to Chathams Islands. These services are to be provided by an Ansett Airways flying boat in December 1956 and January and February 1957 and the nett cost involved has been estimated at £3,150. Financial provision to this extent has been authorised for inclusion in the Department’s 1956/57 Supplementary Estimates. 

Our experience indicates that at least three flights are required each summer to supplement the shipping service. During the rest of the year the need for additional passenger transportation largely depends on the vagaries of the shipping services. At the moment passenger transport is very uncertain. I am led to believe that the “Port Waikato” on the trips scheduled for this month cannot carry all those who wish to travel. I have discussed the need to charter an aircraft now or in November with Captain Holm, and if circumstances warrant a special flight being made now or in November a further submission may have to be placed before Cabinet.

Proposal

(a) That Ansett Airways be informed that, in the absence of a land plane service to the Chatham Islands, the Government will charter their flying boast for trips to the Chathams in December, January 1957 and February 1957;

(b) That as soon as arrangements are finalised the public be informed of the service available.

Comment

Since late 1955 Ansett Airways has made five flights to the Chathams for the Department of Island Territories on occasions when the Chatham Islanders were either without any or without adequate means of transportation to and from the mainland. Only one flight was announced at a time, giving the travellers or would-be travellers no definite indication of how they would be able to make the return journey. As the pattern of passenger-traffic is fairly clear nothing is to be gained by waiting until pressure of public opinion forces us to consider a flight. If we announced a definite series of flights over the coming season we would expect to gain increased patronage, thus benefitting financially besides giving a more assured service. The service provided by Ansett Airways is entirely dependent on the extent to which the company find it convenient to charter us flying boats, and it is arrangement which could break down and leave us in an embarrassing position. However, the islanders have received Government assistance with this problem over a number of years now and pending the establishment of an airfield I think it is incumbent on us to continue to make use of the service which can be provided by Ansett Airways, despite its limitations. 

The December flight will be made before the Duke’s visit, so that as many Chatham Islanders as possible can be there for this important occasion. There will, however, be a large official party, including press and radio representatives, who will require to return to the mainland after the visit, and the Department of Internal Affairs are contemplating chartering the flying-boat for a second flight, after the Duke’s departure. There would be room on this second flight for quite a large number of non-official passengers and thus the service may be greatly improved for comparatively little additional expenditure.

The five flights made to date have cost some £5,000. The cost to the Government is almost completely determined by whether we to charter the flying-boat from Australia or from Evans Bay. When we have to bring the flying-boat empty from Australia (this is unfortunate but apparently unavoidable) one return flight to the Chathams costs about £3,200, less revenue. Thus the December flight – one of the most essential flights – is an expensive proposition, but on those occasions when an Ansett flying-boat  is taking tourists around New Zealand the cost of a charter from Evans Bay is only about £1,100 per trip, less revenue. The gross cost of the three flights would be some £5,400. The net cost of the flights is estimated to be as follows – December, £2,500; January, £325; February, £325: Grand Total, £3,150.

Ahead of the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to the Chatham Islands one of Ansett's Short Sandringham flying-boats arrived at Wellington on the 16th of December 1956 carrying a plane-load of passengers, many of them returning home from the Olympic Games which had been held in Melbourne. TEAL had bought 20 seats on the trans-Tasman flight, which enabled some Wellington visitors to the Games to return directly home.  

To reach the Chatham Islands in time to prepare for the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit on the 19th Christchurch-based New Zealand Government officials had to fly there by way of Wigram, Paraparaumu, and Evans Bay, the Christchurch Press reported on the 18th. Early this morning, they left Christchurch in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Dakota, and at 6 a.m. the party was due to leave Evans Bay for the Chatham Islands in a chartered Ansett Airways Sandringham flying-boat. After the Britannia sailed from Lyttelton last evening, the party drove to Wigram. The Dakota took off at 1.45 a.m. and was expected to land at Paraparaumu shortly after 3 a.m. With an hour’s drive into Wellington, the party would not have any time for sleep as they had to be at Evans Bay at 5 a.m. Last evening, it was thought that the weather at the Chatham Islands might prevent the Sandringham from making the flight today. But the New Zealand manager of Ansett Travel Service (Mr E. J. T. Gwatkin) said in Wellington that no reports received so far would indicate that the weather was unsuitable for a landing. “There has been mention of 3ft waves, but the captain of the flying boat says his aircraft can land in 6ft wave conditions without danger,” said Mr Gwatkin. “Cloud and mist conditions are not considered unfavourable.” The flight also included "police and press men." Chatham Islanders wishing to have Christmas in New Zealand were flown out on the return flight. 

On the 20th the reverse was flown. Chatham Islanders returning home for Christmas flew outbound while those supporting the Duke of Edinburgh's visit flew back to Wellington. The Evening Post of the 20th reported, Carrying 28 passengers, most Chatham Islanders going home for Christmas, and a large quantity of mail matter, an Ansett Airways Sandringham flying-boat took off from Evans Bay shortly before 6.30 this morning on its flight to the Chatham Islands where it was expected to arrive at 9.10am. The aircraft was to leave the islands at noon and is due back at Evans Bay at 3.11pm with a full complement of 30 passengers. They are mainly officers of the Department of Internal Affairs, police, Pressmen, and broadcasting officials who were concerned with the visit oi the Duke of Edinburgh to the Chathams. The Sandringham will leave at 7am tomorrow for Sydney to resume its regular flying schedule to Brisbane and Hayman Island.

On the 28th of January 1957 an Ansett Airways Sandringham flying-boat arrived at Wellington's Evans Bay at 2pm with tourists from Australia on another New Zealand air-cruise. Flown under the command of Captain L L Maundrell it had previously flown from Hobart to Bluff. The flying-boat made a charter flight to the Chathams on the 29th returned to Australia from Auckland on the 3rd of February.

Ansett Airways made its final visit to the Chatham Islands on the 5th of March 1957. This flight was once again made possible with the aircraft being in New Zealand on an air-cruise for Australian tourists. 

In all Ansett Airways made 9 flights to the Chathams. It was clear a better and more permanent solution was needed to providing air services to the Chatham Islands. 

In May 1957 the Hapupu airfield was opened on the Chathams and a decision was made to charter National Airways Corporation DC-3 aircraft to operate the summer flights. This was a much cheaper option for the Department of Island Territories and as Ansett Airways were looking to dispose of their flying-boats some time during 1958 it seemed a better option for the future. 

The 5th of March 1957 flight to the Chathams was not the final visit of an Ansett Short Sandringham to our New Zealand skies. On the 2nd of November 1957 Short Sandringham VH-BRC, under the command of Captain L. L. Maundrell with Captain H. Purvis as copilot left Sydney for Wellington.  On board were film-crew members of the United States film company, Dudlev Pictures Corporation, who were here to begin filming of the South Island sequences for a full length two-hour film, “Cinerama-South Pacific." South Island sequences were expected to take about eight minutes in the completed film and include Milford Sound, high country sheep stations and alpine scenes. On the 3rd it filmed over the Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds enroute to Lyttelton.

A United States camera unit which has been shooting a scenic film in the South Island returned to Lyttelton at 12.30 p.m. yesterday in an Ansett flying-boat from Queenstown. The camera unit has been at Queenstown for the last few. days, and made several flights in the area. The film the unit is making is to be entitled "Cinerama - South Seas." The aircraft was in the South Island for the next fortnight operating from Queenstown and its flights included a landing at Milford Sound. The Press on the 16th of November reported, “On one flight recently, which included the Milford. Tasman and Mount Cook areas. I saw scenery which was absolutely magnificent,’’ said Mr Richard Goldstone, one of the producers of the film. It was equal to, and in some cases surpassed, any he had seen in the world, he said. There are 12 technicians in the party, which is headed by Mr Goldstone. Shots have been taken of Milford Sound and the Southern Alps. Using an Auster belonging to the Mount Cook Tourist Company the crew made a low-level flight from the Tasman Sea right up Milford Sound to its head. The Cinerama camera was carried beneath one wing and the camera batteries beneath the other to balance the load of 500lb. The camera was controlled from the cockpit of the plane. The plane landed at the Milford Hotel for morning tea and closeup shots of the Bowen Falls were taken. A Piper Tripacer of Southern Scenic Airways accompanied the camera plane to provide foreground for shots against the Southern Alps. The Ansett Airways Sandringham flying-boat, which had been at Queenstown since Wednesday, flew to Mount Cook, and the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers for high level shots. Shots were taken at up to 12.000 ft and over 3000ft of film used. In the Queenstown area, the unit concentrated on filming the activities of sheep stations, particularly shearing, which is being done at present. Before going to Queenstown, the technicians spent two days with a ski plane, shooting on the Tasman glacier up to 7000 ft. At least two trips, including another to Milford Sound, will be made by the flying-boat from Lyttelton. The flying boat returned to Australia on the 18th.

Short Sandringham VH-BRC at Lyttleton in November 1957. This was after the end of Ansett's Chathams' service, the aircraft being in New Zealand filming for a Cinerama movie. Note the large camera turret installed in the bow hatch. Photos : P Sheehan Collection