Chatham Islands Air Service

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31365, 10 May 1967, Page 18

Chatham Islands Air Service

Sir, —So the Air Force is to provide an interim air service to the Chatham Islands using the Hapupu strip—an outsized sheep paddock 35 miles from Waitangi, completely isolated from the island’s roading network. Getting to Hapupu from the end of the main road involves an exhilarating ride on a tractordrawn trailer for 10 miles, three of which are across the Te Whanga Lagoon. Aware that the Sunderlands were nearing their end, the Government five years ago spent £7OOO reconstructing the road to the now non-existent flyingboat base. The Government should be prepared to extend this road to give at least a reasonable standard of access to Hapupu. Perhaps Mr Seath could answer these questions: (1) How long will Hapupu be used? (2) Will access to the airstrip be improved? (3) Will passengers on these Air Force flights be insured and will they have to sign the usual indemnity? (4) Has the £350,000 scheme for a new airfield six miles from Waitangi been abandoned?—Yours, etc., L. R. BLOXHAM.

April 26, 1967. [The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) replies:

“(1) Hapupu will be used for the next few months by the R.N.Z.A.F., and thereafter it is expected that a limited service operated by a civil airline will operate through the airstrip. (2) Steps will be taken to ensure that there is adequate access to Hapupu. (3) Passengers will be carried on the interim R.N.Z.A.F. service on the same basis as applied to the Sunderland fly-ing-boat service. (4) The proposals for a new airfield at Big Bush have not been abandoned.”]