SPANZ and Taupo's Aspirations for an Air Service and Airport

Taupō received its first visit by an aeroplane on the 11th of November 1929. The New Zealand Herald reported the following day that, a Moth aeroplane, piloted by Mr Ian Horton, landed at the Tauhara aerodrome. Taupo, at 8.45 a.m. to-day. It was the first aeroplane to visit Taupo. It left the Mangere aerodrome at 7.15 a.m., the trip taking one and a-half hours. The Tauhara aerodrome is situated at the northern end of Tauhara Mountain, four miles from Taupo town. Mr Horton expressed the opinion that it was one of the best natural flying fields he had seen. Tauhara Mountain made a splendid landmark. Very little development work would be needed to make it suitable for large aeroplanes. The airman was met on landing by the chairman and members of the Taupo Road Board, who congratulated him on making the pioneer landing in Taupo. It was stated that the fact that the time from Auckland was only an hour and a-half would make week-end fishing visits to Lake Taupo an easy accomplishment for anglers. Captain McGregor, accompanied by Captain Gibbons, landed at the aerodrome at 1 p.m. from Ohakune in Hamilton Airways Moth. He also expressed himself as well pleased with the landing-ground. Captain McGregor made passenger flights this afternoon. One passenger was an aged Maori, Waaka Hunia, who, as a lad, fought with the friendly Maoris against Te Kooti. He offered up a prayer before embarking, and requested that his flight would be over the summit of Tauhara Mountain. His only criticism of the flight was that the wind was too strong when he put his head outside the windscreen. The aeroplanes will remain here until Wednesday morning. Major Cowper is expected to arrive from Mangere in an Aero Club machine to-morrow.

The "Herald" Moth, de Havilland DH60 Moth ZK-AAO at Taupo on 11 November 1929

The Tauhara aerodrome is now known as Centennial Park and despite Ian Horton's opinion that it was one of the best natural flying fields he had seen and that very little development work would be needed to make it suitable for large aeroplanes it was to prove unsuitable for a scheduled air service. It was some 32 more years before Taupo received its first real air service in the form of South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand, known in its early years as Airlines of New Zealand and later as SPANZ. Intertwined with the SPANZ's development of its air service to Taupo was the town's aspiration for an airport and air connectivity to the rest of the country.

As early as July 1960 South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand was interested in providing an air service to Taupo. At this time Taupo’s airfield was at Centennial Park. The airfield was established in 1938 but it was considered unsuitable for SPANZ’s Douglas DC-3s and so the Taupo Airport Committee started to investigate other possibilities to provide an airfield capable of taking SPANZ’s aircraft. The Taupo Times of the 22nd of July reported the proposed service will cover the whole of New Zealand. SPANZ (as the company is becoming known) will provide "Viewmaster" DC3 aircraft for a "commuter" service which will shuttle between intermediate airfields all over New Zealand. It is understood the company is very interested in using Taupo as a focal point of much of its flight programme. Operations will commence in October or November of this year and the service will be operated with two of the well-known Douglas DC3s obtained from Hawaiian Airlines Ltd. These planes are capable of using the many New Zealand grass airfields which are not licensed for more modern turbine aircraft. The aircraft which SPANZ will operate are, however, different from those currently in use in New Zealand, as they have had costly alterations earried out in the United States and as a result have increased speed, and are 31-seater plus cabin attendant (instead of the previous 27 seats). These aircraft have also much improved decor and the added advantage of four "Viewmaster" windows, each five feet long, which are ideally suited for tourist flights. The company's passenger services feature a new conception for New Zealand, known overseas as "commuter" service.

Under this concept, the plane calls at aerodromes, rather like a long-distance bus, and passengers may either pre-book or pay their fare on the plane, have their baggage weighed in on the plane advise the cabin attendant while in flight of their transport requirements on landing, and the attendant arranges to wireless ahead to a taxi company for suitable transport to meet the plane. However, arrangements will also be made for group transport at passengers' cost, which is a practice in use in all countries other than New Zealand. This commuter service has become popular overseas and, with the growth of air travel in New Zealand, should prove very acceptable as it reduces administrative and other overhead costs. Cheaper fares are possible for this reason and the fact that the cost of ground transport is being segregated from the air fare while more direct routing provides further savings. In the few instances, however, where SPANZ flies parallel to NAC services, the fares are required to be 10 per cent. greater than NAC. SPANZ will initially provide two-way timetable commuter services from Auckland via Hamilton, New Plymouth, Nelson, Christchurch, Oamaru to Alexandra on the "western" route, and from Auckland via Hamilton, Napier, Masterton, Blenheim and Christchurch on the "eastern" route. Some of these places do not at present have any regular air services, and SPANZ will thus provide a supplementary and complementary service to NAC network.

By March 1961 SPANZ’s manager, Rex Daniell, indicated that SPANZ was interested in the prospect of a new airport at Wharewhaka Point area, (which was to become the site of the present airport), but any suitable site was interesting.” Last week, a representative of S.P.A.N.Z., Mr K. Smith visited Taupo and saw the Wharewhaka Point area. The company is investigating plans for an airfield capable of taking DC-3 aircraft with the Taupo Airport Committee. Mr Daniell said an area of about 70 acres giving a mile-long runway 500 feet wide was required. It would not be sealed. Instead, a compacted pumice surface would probably be used. Mr Daniell said a site was wanted fairly quickly so his company could run tourist flights to Taupo. Fishing and sporting parties could be brought to the area at short notice as could delegates to Wairakei conferences.

On the 30th of June and the 11th of July 1961 Rex Daniell’s address to the Taupo Chamber of Commerce was reported in the Taupo Times giving a good insight into SPANZ’s development and hopes for the future … About 50 passengers a week should be handled by Airlines of New Zealand within 18 months of beginning a service here. Seven flights a week are planned. Mr Daniell said he expected seven passengers from Taupo on each south bound flight. That was what his firm wanted. Taupo had tremendous potential as far as a flight service was concerned. It was isolated; there was no railway; poor road transport and it had wide tourist attractions. "Our company is prepared to find half the cost of developing the airfield. I have never seen it fog bound and a good radio approach can be obtained across the lake," said Mr Daniell. "Earthworks could cost up to £40,000, and a hard runway - which might come within five years - could cost £100,000." Taupo's present airfield would be "down the drain" as far as an instrument approach was concerned, added Mr Daniell. "We think we can recover about £1000 a year from a service from the Taupo airfield. We sincerely hope the site will not prove too expensive. The preparation of 5000 feet for the runway should be sufficient for the next generation of aircraft and the strip should therefore see Taupo out for many years. Length is the first requirement, strength follows. Pumice-cement or a sealed surface can come later and dust problems can be overcome."

Mr Daniell outlined the fares his company planned to introduce. The fare from Auckland would be £3 10s. To Hamilton, Matamata and Napier fares would be £2; to Wellington they would be £4 10s. These are cheaper than current N.A.C. charges except where the aircraft fly over the same routes. In those cases the charges would be the same except SPAXZ fares would be cheaper by the cost of ground transport. "We don't want price fixing wars," said Mr Daniell. The licencing authority will be asked to protect air routes to Taupo and, as he saw it, the Taupo airport should be administered locally. The central route covered by the airlines would take in Taupo from Mondays through Fridays. No Saturday service is planned because the firm intends to hold aircraft for charter flights. Sunday services will leave Taupo southbound at 5.50 p.m. or arrive on the northbound schedule at 4.40 p.m. "We have asked for non-scheduled licences for every airport in New Zealand,” said Mr Daniell. "The NAC has such a licence." The crowded meeting was told that SPANZ would try to bend its problems to meet Taupo requirements, Such a service operated on fast turn-rounds and in some cases the aircraft were on the ground for only one minute.

The Ansett organisation in Australia was very interested in the Taupo potential, said Mr Daniell. Mr Ansett was taking a personal interest in the Four Mile Bay field. An example of the use being made of SPANZ by a small centre was outlined by Mr Daniell. He said Alexandra in Central Otago averaged eight to nine passengers on three flights a week. This was from a town with a population of a little more than 2000. Oamaru, with a population of about 13,000 averaged about the same. Taupo could perhaps put 5000 people through the airfield within 18 months of starting an air service.

The "dear old DC3" was selected out of 20 different types of aircraft by Airlines of New Zealand. He said the DC3 stood up to the hard economic facts of the operation of aircraft. The Viewmasters, in use in Hawaii were found to be the most suitable to show off New Zealand's scenery to tourists and to transport commuter traffic. It took some study to plan an airline in the face of the monopoly which has existed since the war. "Both Captain Anderson and I had the sincere conviction that New Zealand was not being developed in the air as it should be. We did not think airlines were reaching out. to enough points. From 21 fields, NAC were planning to go to only 14." Mr Daniell said that the NAC reasoning appeared to be that the sooner the services were turboprop the better. These aircraft however, operated from all sealed runways. New Zealand had only three turbojet fields and three others capable of taking Fokkers. At this rate Taupo might expect a hard runway by the end of the century.

Defending Ansett's interest in Airlines of New Zealand, Mr Daniell said it was important to remember that the "intrusion" of Ansett as some people called it, was at the invitation of SPANZ. Ansett's interest in the company was 49 per cent. Already the company had £157,000 paid up capital. The inaugural flight by SPANZ Viewmaster DC3s was in December last year. The reception of the Viewmaster was "astonishing" and the aircraft had flown 6.5 hours a day since then. Mr Daniell pointed out that if a passenger required ground transport he was asked during the flight and his requests radioed to the ground. Surface transport was not included in the airfare. Staffing costs on the field were cut as the aircraft's officers handled baggage. This made for quick action and "saved an army of white coated people you see round an NAC airfield." Mr Daniell said NAC suffered by being a monopoly. "We think the advantages accruing from this company being in the air are already apparent." Mr Ewen Christie thanked Mr Daniell. "There is no one who could appreciate your efforts more than this chamber," he said.

Meanwhile the the Taupo Airport Committee were working with SPANZ to develop a new airport. While Taupo was keen the Government was not and the Taupo Airport Committee were told that by the Government departments concerned that because of heavy commitments on major airports there would be no financial assistance available in the foreseeable future. "At this stage we made our contact with Air Lines of N.Z. who immediately took an active interest in the project. "Their help in siting, carrying out preliminary investigations, both technical, physical, and financial, has been invaluable. Besides paying £750 in cash towards the cost of these investigations they have made themselves personally available to us on short notice from Auckland whenever we sent out an S.O.S. "An operational pilot and surveyor of their staff stayed for some days in the area at the outset, co-operating with and advising our engineer on the selection of a site that would meet regulation requirements.

On the 18th of September 1961 the Air Services' Licencing Authority announced that it would grant licences to Airlines of New Zealand to operate out of Taupo. While SPANZ and Taupo were delighted, NAC was not. At the concluding day's hearing in Wellington on Friday, Mr D. W. Virtue, representing NAC, said the authorlty’s decision would set the future pattern of civil aviation. The application was regarded as a bold attempt, in the guise of a seemingly innocuous series of applications by Ansett Transport through SPANZ, to become a New Zealand-wide licensee to the point where it had the same licensed rights and privileges as NAC. SPANZ, he said, was virtually asking for a free hand and if all the sectional services sought were authorised the proposed timetables could be transformed without reference to the authority. It was basic that time-tables could be changed from time to time within the limits of the terms of the licence. The onus was on SPANZ to show that there was a need for the services, that they would be economic and that there was room for economic operation by two operators. As a general camouflage, said Mr Virtue, SPANZ had called a lot of evidence directed to the tourist angle. The company’s real objective was obviously domestic revenue. It was not based on tourist expansion. The company's original plan, he said, had been for non-scheduled operation, servicing back-country towns and stopping at all points applied Ifor with a view to giving "off the Main Trunk" passengers services they had not previously enjoyed. The corporation considered, said Mr Virtue, that a clear limitation should be put on the applicant's scheduled operations to ensure that where competition occurred it was fairly regulated.

With a licence in hand SPANZ and Taupo authorities looked for a suitable aerodrome. The Taupo Times of the 3rd of October reported, Already plans are in hand to consider a temporary airstrip near Taupo to make do until the town gets its own airport ready. On Saturday, the (proposed new) airport site was burnt off. Details of construction are being put in hand and it is hoped a start will be made shortly. An inspection of several alternative temporary airfield sites in the Rangitikai area was made on the weekend.

Taupo Times, 17 October 1961

The decision ultimately saw Rangitaiki chosen as SPANZ’s temporary airstrip. This was 23 miles (37 km) from Taupo. Work began on the 23rd of November 1961 to prepare the mile long, 500 foot wide strip. This work included the removal of 9 inches of topsoil and the project was expected to cost in the vicinity of £2500 with SPANZ paying half this amount. During the construction project the contractors, Taylor and Culley Ltd, shifted 60,000 yards of earth in less than three weeks.

On the 14th of December 1961 SPANZ’s Douglas DC-3 ZK-BYD touched down on the Rangitaiki strip as part of the airstrip’s certification and SPANZ’s familiarisation training before the air service to Taupo commenced. The following day the Taupo Times reported, Ernest Rutherford swung over the Rangitaiki Hotel; over a belt of pine trees, over the highway; and, in a rapidly growing cloud of touched down, bouncing lightly. Twelve tense, but excited people, relaxed as Ernie (ZK-BYD) appeared, glittering, out of a cloak of dust and pumice fragments at the end of the Rangitaiki-Taupo airstrip. Ernie was a SPANZ Viewmaster, the first DC-3 passenger aircraft ever to land on the Taupo pumice lands. Airlines of New Zealand’s two founders, Captains R. Daniell and R. Anderson filled the pilot's and co-pilot's seats in the Dakota's cockpit. The aircraft made the historic landing at 10.35 yesterday morning. Within minutes it was flying again while eight SPANZ pilots made landing and familiarisation flights from the aerodrome which is to serve Taupo until the Wharewhaka aerodrome is built. After about three-quarters of an hour, the Viewmaster taxied away from the strip to wait for the Civil Aviation Administration's twin-engined Piper Apache. This plane contained Mr J. MacDonald a C.A.A, Inspector. Mr MacDonald had a good look at the strip and described it vaguely as "good as gold." That was all he could say before the CAA decided and forwarded final approval of the strip's suitability for DC-3 use.

Airlines of New Zealand's Douglas DC-3 Viewmaster ZK-BYD touching down at Rangitaiki for the first time on 14 December 1961. Photo : Taupo Times 

Taupo Times, 15 December 1961

Airlines of New Zealand’s Taupo air service started on the 17th of December 1961. In command of the first flight south from Auckland and Hamilton was Captain Rex Daniell in Douglas DC-3 ZK-BYD with First Officer Arthur Cooper and Hostess Shona Douglas looking after the cabin. Being the inaugural service the DC-3 was on the ground for an hour for the obligatory speeches. The flight south took it to Masterton and Wellington and Christchurch.   

Whites Aviation photos of SPANZ's first scheduled flight into Rangitaiki with Douglas DC-3 ZK-BYD arriving from Auckland on 17 December 1961

Captain Rex Daniell in front  of Douglas DC-3 ZK-BYD with First Officer Arthur Cooper to his left.

On the 19th the Taupo Times reported, Airlines of New Zealand's first flight Rangitaiki airstrip on Sunday received a warm, spontaneous welcome from a crowd of 200 people, The gesture surprised and touched the crew of the inaugural flight all the more because hours beforehand they had still not been sure they would be allowed to make the flight on that day.

With typical Government bumbling, SPANZ were kept in the dark about their airfield licence until the very last minute. Only intervention from the Ministerial level brought about a rapid decision. CAA officials had described the field as "good as gold" on Thursday. MOW did not agree. MOW called for more work to be done and tests had to be carried out all over again. Not much before midnight on Saturday, SPANZ co-founder Captain R. Daniells, still had no official word,

When Captain Daniells piloted the southbound flight into Rangitaiki on Sunday he was amazed and more than a little touched to see the north end of the field ringed with cars waiting to welcome his aircraft. Also on the field was Taupo Aero Club's Cessna 172 with club officials J. Edwards and J. Climie. Aboard the aircraft were representatives of James Travel Agency, Taupo Borough Council and the surveyor responsible for building the field, Mr J. Wheeler and Mrs Wheeler

Passengers left the aircraft shortly after it landed to mingle with the crowd on the field. Taupo residents were then shown over the aircraft. In one aircraft load, there were several passengers who recognised friends on the field. One man met a cousin he had not seen for nearly 12 years. The DC-3 stayed on the ground almost an hour and took off shortly before the northbound Dakota flew in at 2.50 p.m. This plane stayed the normal 5-10 minutes and then continued its scheduled flight.

The Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, has paid a tribute to the way in which the company brought into being what has only been an ideal for many years. "There have been a lot of representations made on the matter of an airport for Taupo, but SPANZ were the first to make a practical move," Mr Story told the "Taupo Times" today. "Through them, Taupo will ultimately have its own airport at Wharewaka. "The advent of SPANZ to the temporary strip at Rangitaiki is a red letter day for Taupo," he went on. "I am sure we will all benefit from this closer contact with other communities and from the increased trade the new service will bring to our district. "Any area with the tourist potential of this one — from the Bay of Plenty to National Park — must be catered for by an airline if it is to develop properly."

Mr K, Coates, the County Commissioner, told the Taupo Times, "Taupo for too long has suffered from irritating and expensive road transport problems. Though the company is not yet ready to launch into airfreight in a major way, we can expect that this must ultimately be one of the benefits the district will accrue. It gives me the greatest pleasure to join with the Mayor and citizens of Taupo in welcoming SPANZ. The short history of the company is one of courageous enterprise in the provision of air transport to smaller towns. Each new centre opened up by them has found the service of real benefit. I have no doubt that the impact of the service on the Taupo district with its internationally recognised tourist attractions will be even greater than in other districts."

Taupo Times, 19 December 1965

While scheduled route from Taupo to Wellington was via Napier and Masterton the Taupo Times reported on the 21st of December that "operational difficulties" have caused the cancellation of SPANZ flights from Rangitaiki to Napier and Napier to Rangitaiki, says the company's chairman and director, Mr J. Johnston. Pilots flying the route placed the ban themselves because of the uncertainty of the weather over the Kaimanawas and the lack of radio aids in the let-down to the field. Mr Johnston has stressed the fact that the company never asked for Taupo-Napier flights when it applied for the licence. "The authority wrote them in himself," he commented. The Rangitaiki-Napier route is regarded by pilots as a highly undesirable operation. At the moment, however, aircraft are flying the schedule where passengers are booked and while the weather permits. This means planes must make a wide circuit over Taupo to gain altitude before crossing the mountains. Planes must climb to nearly 8000 feet out of the Rangitaiki field and often have to pass through heavy overcast without navigational aids.

On the 21st, just days after the first flight, the Taupo Times reported, Forty-one bookings have been made on the SPANZ air service during the last few days and the steady flow of enquiries about the air-service has kept Mr S. Murrell and Miss P. Ross, his assistant, in the Information Centre, very busy. On the 12th of January 1962 the airline expressed its satisfaction with numbers, the airline averaging six passengers in and out of Taupo every flight at that time.

A coupe of Des White photos of Airlines of New Zealand's Douglas DC-3 Viewmaster ZK-CAW at Rangitiaki

Even in its early SPANZ struggled. On the 2nd of February 1962 there was an advertisement in the Taupo Times about an appeal by South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand Limited on a number of Air Services Licensing Authority decisions but in terms of Taupo, making Taupo a scheduled, compulsory stop on the Matamata-Hamilton-Taupo-Napier-Masterton-Wellington route when the airline had originally applied for it to non-scheduled option stop. 

Following the SPANZ board meeting on the 9th of February 1962 the airline announced that some 32 staff were to be terminated and that air services to Dunedin, Gisborne and Taupo would cease almost immediately. The Monday issue of the Taupo Times reported that Airlines of New Zealand would honour their obligations to Taupo passengers already booked but that all scheduled operations from the field would cease from the end of that week. 

The Taupo Times of the 12th reported the company's chairman, Mr J F Johnston, saying that difficulties have arisen because of "the continued inability to achieve an economic structure which would preserve NAC monopoly and yet give ANZ reasonable operations on other sectors." He means, in other words, that NAC have hogged all the cream from the airlines business, leaving only the skin for the private airlines. "When you think the vital Air Services Licencing Act, 1951, was introduced to enable private enterprise to operate in aviation, this situation seems wrong. I have no reason to believe that this legislation has worked anything but in reverse." The company's announcement followed a visit to New Zealand by Mr R A Ansett, managing director of Ansett Transport Industries, of Australia, who owns 49 per cent of the shares in Airlines of NZ. The chairman of the Taupo Airport Committee, Mr R MacMillan, said last night that the cancellation of the Airlines of NZ flights to Taupo would make no difference to the plans the committee had for an airport. I have every confidence in the future," he said.

Reaction from Taupo to the cuts was strongly in support of SPANZ. Taupo doesn't like the way Airlines of New Zealand have been harried and forced to retrench by the activities of the state-owned airline NAC, blazed the Taupo Times on the 14th. Residents here feel the Government has let the country down and broken election promises. Businessmen, particularly, feel very strongly about the way the Government has abused its standing as a free enterprise party. "The man in the street is utterly disgusted," prominent businessman, Mr C. Currie, told the Taupo Times today. The Taupo Times feels strongly about this matter, too. In a strongly worded Editorial on Monday, it charged the Government with allowing the State-owned airline privileges it would not extend to the private company; with condoning the way in which NAC has taken every opportunity to strike a dirty blow at ANZ; and with failure to ensure that NAC did not steal airline routes from ANZ. Of the latter charge. the Gisborne - Auckland route is a classic. Not content with taking over the Nelson - Christchurch run with Fokkers four years before the planned time, NAC waited until Airlines of New Zealand had pioneered the Gisborne-Auckland flight with an early morning trip out and an evening trip home and then put one of their aircraft on a parallel timetable. Consequently, that run became uneconomic to ANZ. There was, however, a glimmer of hope in the same issue of the local newspaper with the chairman of the Taupo Airport committee, Mr. R. MacMillan's reporting that Airlines of New Zealand would review the situation in 16 weeks and this would hearten their supporters.

SPANZ's appeals to the Air Services Licencing Authority were reported on the 28th of February and gave Airlines of New Zealand the right to make Taupo flights optional. Taupo is to be an optional instead of a compulsory stop in the ANZ route of Auckland, Matamata, Hamilton, Taupo,  Napier, Masterton, Wellington as long as the Rangitaiki airfield is in use. The matter will be reconsidered when the new Taupo airfield is completed. The Taupo Times also reported, Airlines of New Zealand will resume flights into Taupo airport as soon as economically possible, the company announced today. Meanwhile, the company will concentrate heavily on weekend excursion flights and charter trips from both Wellington and Auckland.

These excursion and charter flights did not happen for on the 4th of March 1962 a major storm caused washed out the Rangitaiki airstrip. Despite a public-spirited gesture by Mr A Stevenson of Lochinvar Station  repairing the storm damage done SPANZ's Captain Rex Daniell said on the 12th of April,  Airlines of New Zealand has no plans for resuming a regular service connecting Taupo with other towns. "There is no justification for taking the risk of a regular Taupo service until we are assured of good returns," said Captain Daniell. "We are going to have a really good look at this thing before starting again. It costs us £400 a flight for the aircraft and crew, and we cannot afford to dice with services." The airstrip has been delicensed by the Department of Civil Aviation because it was not in a fit state to be used. The company had recently received a report estimating repairs would cost about £100, but so far Airlines of New Zealand had not made any decision to re-commission the airstrip. A board meeting was to be held this month, said Captain Daniell. The company may now apply to C.A.A. to have the strip inspected and re-licenced, if the airstrip has been brought up to a good standard. The only chance of passenger aircraft coming through Taupo now seems to rest on the success of a move by Airlines of New Zealand to inaugurate special charter flights for school children. Captain Daniell said the company's idea was to fly parties of Auckland school children down to Taupo to see the geothermal sights and steam plant, and to take Taupo children on down to Wellington for the day. So far, he said, little success had been reached with the proposals. The company was now awaiting a reply from the Department of Education, which must approve the scheme if school children are to be absent from classes on school days. Captain Daniell said the company also hoped to run excursion flights to Taupo, catering for tourists and conference groups.

A month later the story had changed. The Taupo Times of the 18th of May 1962 reported that Airlines of New Zealand would resume flights into Taupo's Rangitaiki airfield as soon as the field was repaired provided there were a minimum of eight on any one flight. Announcing this today, a spokesman for the airline said that it was expected the cost of rehabilitating the airstrip would be in the vicinity of £100. The airline would in future regard Taupo as a convention base and satisfactory arrangements had been made for the carrying of groups to functions in the Taupo area. Meanwhile, the first package tour arranged by ANZ will arrive here from Invercargill in mid-June. It will be a group of young farmers from the Southland area. Within a month, too, it is hoped to have the first of the TEAL package tours from Australia. It is hoped to be able to arrange many internal tours centering on Taupo. In the season, ski clubs will be given the opportunity of flying into Taupo, while golf, fishing and shooting groups may also take advantage of the faster transport service.

Further reporting indicated that it cost £20 to bring the aircraft down on the field here plus the subsidy on taxi fares to Rangitaiki. The average fare from Taupo is £3/15/-, so there is little left out of eight fares after these costs are met. Before operations can begin again, it will also be necessary to install a radio beacon here. Steps are being taken to make the necessary applications to CAA and the Post and Telegraph Department.

The repairs to the Rangitaiki airstrip never happed and from the 29th of July 1962 Airlines of New Zealand introduced a limousine service between Taupo and Hamilton connecting with three southbound and two northbound services a week. This transport also called at Putaruru and Tokoroa. The ground transport charge from Taupo and Wairakei to Hamilton was £1. 

 

In November 1962 the Taupo Times reported that South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand would not be operating directly from Taupo for Christmas. Original suggestions that it might have been possible to operate directly from the Rangitaiki airstrip if the airport could be brought into operation have proved impractical. But, said the airlines public relations officer, Mr M. B. Hobbs yesterday, the company would wait until the proposed airport at Wharewaka Point had been built before operating a direct service. In the meantime the company would continue to operate its taxi link service with the scheduled route links in Hamilton. "We are very interested in the developments in Taupo, particularly the new airport. "Eventually we hope to operate a service right through the middle of the North Island using Taupo as a stepping off stone for the nest of the country. "I have every hope that once the new airport is built and the radio beacon facilities have been installed, we shall be able to make full use of Taupo." 

In January 1963, responding to the lack of an air service and being thwarted in its airport development plans by the Loans Board, the Taupo Borough Council announced it would apply for the development of the airport on an equal with the Government. Chairman of the aerodrome committee, Cr. D. D. Davis said the Loans Board had turned down the application on the basis of insufficient projected traffic. The text of the board's refusal was that "the board considered that the projected traffic through and the consequent revenue from the airport was not sufficient to justify the proposed expenditure by your council." Commenting on the decision Cr. Davis said: This is a feeble reply. It now looks as though we are about to declare war on bureaucracy again. The main aspect of the board's decision which struck the committee. be said, was the poor case which had been presented. "They contend that the traffic would be insufficient to justify our expenditure. "But we don't know where they could have reached the figures to base such a conclusion as Taupo did not and does not have an airport. "Surely no one in their right minds would have taken the figures from the temporary airport which we set up at Rangitaiki for two months. "It seems hardly possible that anyone could have used this as a basis for a refusal." Cr. Davis said that the only way in which Taupo could now develop an airport would be to approach the Government for a 50 per cent grant. "New Zealand needs an airport at Taupo - and this is to be the line which we should now take - not the parochial one."

At a March 1963 meeting with Taupo civic authorities the Minister of Civil Aviation, Jack McAlpine, was reported to say that he would very much like to see an air service to Taupo and that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Works had both supported the application to the Loans Board. Mr McAlpine's views were countered the Minister of Tourism, Mr Dean Eyre and the head of the Tourist Department, Mr H. Longmore, both who had no interest in the construction of an airport at Taupo. By the end of the year, however, news came through that Taupo's £96,000 airport was assured. That Taupo Times reported on the 26th of November that Cabinet yesterday announced a grant of £48,000 to Taupo Borough Council for the project and aircraft are expected to fly out of the field by early next spring. The announcement, at the end of nearly five years of planning and some 10 months of negotiations with the Government. The estimated £96,000 will provide Taupo with a 4050ft. sealed runway 100ft. wide which, with terminal and apron areas will involve "some 50,700 square yards of sealing."

With SPANZ starting Rotorua services a taxi service was offered to Taupo residents. Evening Post, 11 November 1963

Taupo Times, 9 December 1963

With plans and specifications completed tenders for the construction of the new Taupo airport were called in June 1964. The Taupo Times reported that the runway has been designed to handle aircraft up to, and including DC3's. The sealed runway will be 4050 feet long with 200 feet of grass strip at each end and an average width of 300 feet. A 2400-foot aero club grass strip will run across the main runway. SPANZ will run a regular flight to Taupo when the strip is completed. "Our main aim is to increase the tourist potential in and around Taupo," said the Borough engineer, Mr W. Kiddle. "The £96,000 contract to build the aerodrome includes formation, sealing and a small terminal " building which has not yet been designed," said the engineer. Mr Kiddle said the Government had approved the £96,000 and was paying half. "Of the balance we are paying four-fifths and the Taupo County one-fifth," Mr Kiddle said.

Advertising still ahead of SPANZ returning to Taupo. Source: Evening Post, 27 April 1965

Almost 12 month later, on the 13th of May 1965, the Taupo Times reported Soil-cement stabilisation work on Taupo's new airport - to full Fokker Friendship standards - has been completed. Work has now begun on the sealing of the complete runway length and is to be finished early next week. Contractors and Taupo Borough engineers worked through the whole of last weekend to complete the stabilisation work by 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Meanwhile the sealing work was progressing and on Tuesday, the original length of 1900 feet was given its second coat seal. Yesterday, a further 2100 feet received its first coat seal and the balance will be done tomorrow and Saturday, after which second coat sealing will be done. A special meeting of the airport committee is to hear from the contractors on Friday and an opening date for operational flights will be set. It is not expected that this will be more than two or three weeks away. Plans and specifications for the terminal building will be out this week and it is expected that this work will be completed around September or October of this year. A temporary building will be used for a terminal in the. meantime. Although SPANZ has the only licence to operate from the Wharewaka airport, the runway is quite capable of taking Friendships and Bristol Freighters and it is hoped that charter and freight flights will be made into the new airport. 

Taupo Times, 3 June 1965

On the 17th of June 1965 the Taupo Times reported Taupo people will have an opportunity to fly over the district on Saturday week when South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand carry out a series of scenic flights to begin operations from Taupo airport. With the airport virtually complete, Department of Civil Aviation officers will land the first DC3 on the runway next Monday to carry out calibration tests before licensing the airport. Expressing keen satisfaction at the news of Taupo airport's projected commissioning, Captain R. Daniell, general manager of SPANZ, said: "We will be carrying out familiarisation and training flights on Saturday, June 26. in preparation for the first scheduled flight on the following Sunday morning. "The company plans to fly a considerable number of local trips at a fare which all can afford. We will also make one scenic excursion to National Park about midday. In this way, we hope to let as many local folk as possible see the airport. It will be a great day for SPANZ and the thriving Taupo district." Fares for the scenic flights will be 10/- for adults and 5/- for children. They will begin at 10.30 a.m. and run until noon. There will be a break between 12 o'clock and 2 p.m. while the excursion flight is made over the Ruapehu area. This will be of one hour's duration and will cost £3 for adults and £1 10/- for children. Scenic flights will then | continue from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Civic leaders will visit the airport to welcome the SPANZ aircraft, which is expected to arrive about 10 a.m. Members of the Plunket Society will erect a tent near the parking bay to provide refreshments for members of the public. Funds will go to the society's building fund. Taupo Aero Club plans to assist SPANZ and Is understood to be receiving a share of the receipts from flights. The projected flights will depend on good weather on the day.

On the 22nd the Times reported, Taupo's new airport more than meets the requirements laid down for the load-bearing" strengths imposed by DC3, Fokker Friendship and Bristol Freighter aircraft. It was a delighted borough engineer, Mr W. Kiddle, who announced this yesterday afternoon. He said that the Department of Civil Aviation and Ministry of tests over the weekend and yesterday had proved highly satisfactory. This is the first pumice cement runway ever built in New Zealand and it was subjected to high load tests over the weekend. Mr Kiddle said that the fact that no weaknesses had shown up in the tests was a tribute to the contractors. The use of the pumice-cement had been a "first," although other airfields had been built with the "soil-cement" type of construction. This included Wanganui (sand-cement) and Napier (metal-cement). The chairman of the Taupo Airport Authority, Mr D. D. Davis, paid a tribute to the work of Mr Kiddle and the borough engineers. He said Mr Kiddle had worked from scratch on the airport and he and his staff had done a remarkably fine job. "This is the base for a first-class air field," Mr Kiddle said today. "With the addition of up to 2in. of black-top (hot-mix) it could take very heavy aircraft." 

There was almost a hitch in the preparations for testing the runway over the weekend. When the contractors swept the surface with a mechanical broom last week. long, fine steel "hairs" came out of the broom. The only known means of clearing the wire was a magnetic truck and the nearest was many miles away. Undaunted, the borough electrical and works staffs got together and, working through out Saturday, built one. Under the direction of the assistant electrical engineer, Mr J. M. Sherwood, they used the coils from the original generator at Hinemaiaia and a d.c. portable welding plant to construct a very efficient magnet. According to the electrical engineer, Mr K. G. Stewart this magnet could be improved somewhat and used permanently for clearing the borough streets and the airport of nails and wire. Mr Stewart paid tribute to Mr Sherwood's "usual resourcefulness" in carrying out the job. "He is never stuck for a solution," he said. Scenic flights will be flown off the field on Saturday when Taupo residents will have an opportunity of seeing the district from the air. On Sunday the first scheduled flights by SPANZ will take place.

Taupo, Times, 24 June 1965

SPANZ's open day at the new Taupo airport on the 26th of June 1965 was outstanding success with 3000 people visiting the new airport. 500 passengers flew on SPANZ aircraft on scenic flights that started at 10.00am in the morning and went throughout the day to the last departure at 5.10pm. 

Images of the SPANZ open day at Taupo on 26 June 1965

Scheduled services started on the 27th of June 1965 with northbound and southbound flights through Taupo Sunday that operated six days a week, Sunday through to Friday. In the morning a DC-3 would arrive from Auckland and Rotorua and then depart Taupo for Masterton, Wellington, Christchurch and other SPANZ South Island destinations at 9.55am. In the afternoon the northbound service would depart Christchurch at 12.30pm and Wellington at 2.05pm, before calling at Masterton en route to Taupo. The DC-3 would depart Taupo for Rotorua and Auckland at 4.15pm.  

The final SPANZ timetable effective until 28 February 1966

First Day Covers for the first day of Taupo's restored SPANZ air service

In July 1965 SPANZ flew 100,000 pine tree seedlings from Nelson to Taupo. The seedlings were used by Fletcher Timber Co. Ltd. to replace trees burnt in the 1946 fire in the Tauhara Forest area. The forest manager, Mr P. V. Wastney, said that if it had not been for the existence of the airport the planting project, for which 300,000 seedlings are required, could have been retarded for a year. He said that due to North Island nurseries being unable to supply the total number of seedlings it was essential that the amount be quickly made up from the Nelson nursery. Mr Wastney commented that he thought the speedy service offered by the new airport was rapidly coming to the notice of other firms in the town.

Coinciding with the opening of Taupo Airport SPANZ had announced its interest in acquiring two Hawker Siddeley 748s. As part of its move to ensure the viability of such investment in July 1965 it made application to the Air Services Licensing Authority for sole rights to schedule and charter flights out of Taupo airport, the Taupo Times reported. The airline intends to use the replacement planes on the two main routes north of Christchurch, but DC3s will continue to serve centres where hard runways have not been developed. "If we get a favourable decision by the authority," said the general manager, Captain R. D. Daniell, "we will prepare a new prospectus for £200,000 new capital." He said this amount would be sufficient to cover all contingencies associated with establishing the new aircraft in service. Provision had been made to reduce the amount owing to the Government by £10,000 a year. The Hawker Siddeley 748 will cost about £340,000 each but the total cost is expected to reach £800,000 with spares and pilot training courses. SPANZ has several applications before the authority but no date has yet been set for hearings. The airline is seeking sole rights to and from Taupo in both timetable and charter services where the aircraft used exceed a passenger capacity of seven seats. If SPANZ's move were successful, it would cut across hopes some local people have expressed for a cross-country service between Napier - Taupo - New Plymouth and, perhaps, Hamilton - Taupo Napier. This appears to be the ultimate in services, since at present these places are almost impossible to reach by air from Taupo or from Napier or New Plymouth, as the case may be. On the other hand, there are many who feel the district owes some loyalty to SPANZ who pioneered the Taupo route and who originally sponsored the first pumice strip at Rangitaiki.

Within the first three weeks of service Taupo was overflown on two occasions, but only was on these was due to heavy rain and low cloud which made a landing impossible. The other overfly was due to insufficient light left to allow the aircraft to land at Taupo and get off again in official civil twilight. The Taupo Times reported, some improvements to the landings at Taupo were expected in the near future, the operations manager of SPANZ, Mr A. Caldwell, Auckland, said. The NZBC would soon be providing a carrier beam from Station 1ZA Taupo. While this would not improve "twilight" landings, pilots approaching the airport in bad weather would receive navigational aids. Later the Civil Aviation Department would be installing a beacon at Taupo.

But SPANZ was fighting a losing battle. On the 2nd of December 1965 the Taupo Times captured the communities mood when it reported that, The news that SPANZ has gone into voluntary receivership because of its inability to secure economic scheduled routes through New Zealand has been received with regret by the majority of people in Taupo. SPANZ, whose valiant efforts to pioneer a secondary airline throughout New Zealand resulted in the opening up of Taupo to air traffic, will continue to fly out of Taupo airport until February. After that, it is likely that the National Airways Corporation will take over the service.

The news that SPANZ had gone into receivership would be received with genuine regret, said the chairman of the Taupo County Council, Mr H. M. Besley, last night. The stout pioneering efforts by the company - particularly Captains R. Daniell and R. Anderson - earned widespread admiration, and all would wish the captains well in whatever their future is. "NAC will now be in a position to concentrate on a New Zealand-wide coverage. We trust, and confidently believe, full recognition will be given to those lesser-paying routes which are operated by SPANZ," Mr Besley said. In particular, an assurance by NAC that the service to and from the recently completed Taupo airport would be fully maintained, and widened as demand increased, would do much to dispel doubts and cultivate goodwill, he added. The Mayor of Taupo, Mr J. E. Story, was not available for comment at a late hour this morning.

On the 7th Taupo's Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, was reported as saying that SPANZ has been forced into receivership through Jack of sympathetic consideration of its submissions to the Air Licensing Authority and Government. The service in and out of Taupo, inaugurated by SPANZ, had proved a boon to the community as, no doubt, it had done in other centres off the main air routes, Mr Story said. The company worked for the interests of these communities from Auckland to Invercargill and he holds this should have been a major factor in considering the future of SPANZ. In fact, it was such an important aspect, the authority should have made some concession which could have led to the company's survival, Mr Story said. Failing this, it was then up to Government to safeguard the service by some form of subsidy, he added. Such subsidies were normal where the interests of communities were concerned. Metropolitan bus services ran at heavv losses, but were so essential, local authorities kept them going. Similarly, the New Zealand Railways were supported by the New Zealand public. He added that air transport was an essential service in modern times, and the requirements of the smaller centres should have received more favourable consideration. "It is not unusual for Governments to subsidise airlines and NAC. has had its share. In this instance, private enterprise has been strangled in favour of the Government-backed airline, and it appears a large percentage of the population might have no convenient. daily scheduled services when SPANZ operations are terminated. This will apply also to freight and mail services which are just as essential." Mr Story said Taupo would support other local authorities in the districts affected in pressing the Government to find an acceptable solution to the SPANZ problem.

As Taupo's SPANZ service was drawing to a close Taupo's airport was formally opened on the 8th of January 1966. The Taupo Times on the 11th described the day... The sky was overcast and the wind blew in cool gusts for the opening of Taupo's new airport on Saturday. The Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, conducted the ceremony, but had difficulty in keeping the appointment. The wind prevented an aircraft from picking him up at Kinloch and he was obliged to drive his own car to the airport and find his own way through the traffic to the terminal centre. Fortunately, Mrs R. M. Stevenson, M.P., had been able to describe Mr Holyoake's car to a traffic officer on duty at the entrance to the airport. Mr Holyoake was welcomed at the airport by Mr V. S. Pearce, chairman of the Taupo Airport Authority, Mr H. M. Besley, chairman of the Taupo County Council, and the Mayor of Taupo, Mr J. E. Story. Finally, after the opening ceremony, the important-looking key with pretty bow attached would not open the terminal building. He was given moral support by the Mayor of Taupo, Mr J. E. Story, and practical assistance by the the assistant borough engineer, Mr J. N. F. Minchington, but still the door would not budge. However, amidst applause from the waiting public, the terminal was finally opened by the Prime Minister — by way of the luggage bay at the opposite end of the building.

The Taupo Times on the 24th of February 1966 printed its obituary for SPANZ under the banner, "Airline Served District Well." After six years service to the country districts of New Zealand, South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand (SPANZ) will cease operations on Monday. A nostalgic last flight will be made by original members of the SPANZ DC3 Viewmaster crews on Monday and members of the public have been asked to meet the final flight into Taupo at 4.05 p.m. on Monday. The company, which has gone out of business after a long, hard struggle against economic factors and unsympathetic political policy, was brought into being after years of post-war planning by two pilots — Captains Rex Daniell and Bob Anderson. Like many other country areas, Taupo has benefitted immensely from the operations of the company. First came Taupo's airstrip at Rangitaiki — a temporary measure designed to fill in the period between planning the Wharewaka airport and its eventual construction. Completed last year, the new airport apparently came too late to be of any real benefit to the failing SPANZ economy. Right up to the date of the opening, the company was planning new replacement aircraft — the Hawker Siddeley 748. SPANZ has put Taupo on the map. Never again will it be impossible to get out of the area without a four-to-five-hour car or bus journey. The airport is here to stay and will continue to be served by NAC.

About 150 Taupo residents were at Taupo airport on the 27th of February 1966 Sunday morning to bid an official farewell to South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand. The aircraft, which was making its southward flight to Invercargill, was flown by Captain R. Anderson, who made the inaugural flight into the new airport when the company commenced scheduled operations. Also in the aircraft was the hostess on the inaugural flight, Miss J. Shepherd. On the 8th of March 1966 the Taupo Times reported on the final flight... South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand made its last operational flight last week, between Auckland and Invercargill after six years of service which was a boon to people living in country districts. At the Taupo airport on Sunday were the Mavor of Taupo, Mr J. E. Story and Mrs Story, the chairman of the Taupo County Council Mr H. M. Besley and Mrs Besley, Mrs R. M. Stevenson, M.P., and all members of the local bodies' airport authority. Speaking on behalf of residents of both the borough and the county, Mr Story paid tribute to the very good service SPANZ had given the public and deplored the circumstances which had led to the company's demise. He made particular reference to the fact that SPANZ had pioneered Taupo's air services and thanked the aircrews who served the public in the company's aircraft. Mr D. D. Davis, former chairman of the airport authority, and the present chairman, Mr V. S. Pearce, presented Captain R. Anderson with a large coloured photograph of Taupo and gave him another to take to the general manager of the company, Captain R. Daniell. In expressing thanks for the presentations, Captain Anderson complimented the people of Taupo for their foresight in providing the airport and urged them to ensure that adequate services were continued. Members of the SPANZ company had made a great human endeavour to serve the public's needs and keep the company going and it was with regret that he bid farewell to Taupo on behalf of the company, Captain Anderson said.

The Taupo Times of the 24th of February 1964 says it all