Heritage et AL

Auckland International Airport is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best assets. In the 2024 financial year, it carried 18.5 million passengers to and from 42 destinations by 26 airlines and made $900 million.  The airport is undoubtedly one of the bastions of the modern economy, the gateway connecting Aotearoa New Zealand to the world. Its sleek terminals and massive concrete runway create a sense of modernity, and a space disconnected from history. Yet, under closer examination, Auckland Airport is full of history. Similarly, the road network around the airport reveals stories of innovative aviators, with even the main terminal itself named after Jean Batten. In this series of articles, I hope to advance the idea that Auckland Airport is an essential space for understanding Auckland’s history and as representative of its history as any other city landmark. Previous texts, most notably the 2003 book Where New Zealand Touches the World, From Farm Paddock to South Pacific Hub: A History...

Ref: AWNS-19250924-48-4, the Hobsonville site purchased by the Defence Department, 1925,, Sir George Grey Special Collections Douglas Mill’s house is one of 15 houses at Hobsonville Airbase classified as a heritage building. These built heritage landmarks are being retained during the transformation of the former RNZAF base into a new housing estate.  One of the reasons the house is being preserved is due the significance of Douglas Mill; one of New Zealand’s pioneer aviators. Ref: AWNS -19280816-47-1, constructing the new naval base at Hobsonville, 1928, Sir George Grey Special Collections Mill was one of the first fliers to see the potential for commercial aviation in New Zealand.  In 1927 he established the Air Survey and Transport Company at Hobsonville.  One of its specialities was aerial surveying and photography, but the company was also the New Zealand agent for Britain’s De Havilland Aircraft Company .  As De Havilland’s agent the company import...