air mails of new zealand

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THE INTERNAL FLIGHTS - 1975-1984


1975, 10 March

AUCKLAND-OAMARU AND RETURN

This NZNAC Friendship service was begun by ZK-NAN.

Overseas Flight: 1975, 2-5 Apr.


1975, 3 April

FLIGHTS FROM OAMARU TO NORTH ISLAND

By NZNAC by Fokker Friendships after the upgraded Oamaru airport was reopened.
Oamaru-Wellington-Napier-New Plymouth-Taupo-Gisborne-Rotorua-Whakatane-Hamilton-Auckland-Whangarei-Kaitaia

Overseas Flights: 1975, 7 Apr. / 1975, 25 Apr. / 1975, 7-9 May / 1975, 1 June / 1975, 4 June



1975, 4 June

WELLINGTON-NELSON-HOKITIKA AND VICE VERSA

NZNAC Friendships linked the West Coast route with the network again.


1975, 4 June

NZNAC EXTENDED ITS MAIN TRUNK BOEING 737

Service to Invercargill. ZK-NAC worked the first flights in and out of Invercargill.

Invercargill-Dunedin-Christchurch-Wellington-Hamilton-Auckland & vice versa.

Overseas Flight: 1975, 8 July


1975, 28 September

PALMERSTON NORTH-WELLINGTON-CHRISTCHURCH

Last service flight of NZNAC Vickers 807 Viscounts. Viscount ZK-BWO "City of Dunedin" (Captain B.D. Dunn) arrived at Christchurch at 5.45 pm.


1975, 11 November

RE-ENACTMENT OF FIRST LANDING

On the Tasman Glacier by a ski plane. On the 25th Anniversary of the landing, the original pilot and Managing-Director of Mount Cook Airlines, Mr H.R. Wigley, commemorated the event by repeating the landing, flying AusterJ1B Aiglet ZK-BDX of Mount Cook Airlines. Special air mail covers featuring a large illustrated cachet were flown and were postmarked MOUNT COOK 11 NO 75.4.

Overseas Flight: 1975, Nov-Dec.


1975, 19 December

AUCKLAND-NELSON AND VICE VERSA NON-STOP

NZNAC introduced this new service but very little advance notice was given. Although a small mail was dispatched Auckland-Nelson on Flight 761 none was carried on the return Flight 762.


1975, 19 December

PALMERSTON NORTH WAS INCORPORATED

Into the NZNAC Boeing 737 service between Christchurch and Auckland. The return flight with mail from Auckland was not made until 27 December.
Christchurch-Palmerston North-Hamilton-Auckland

Overseas Flights: 1976, 9-12 Jan. / 1976, 7 Mar. / 1976, Nov.-Dec. / 1977, 15 Feb. / 1977, 22 Feb. / 1977, Nov.-Dec.


1977, 3 December

OFFICIAL OPENING OF COROMANDEL AIRPORT

And air pageant. Large vignettes were printed on gummed yellow paper and affixed to covers which were postmarked on 3 December. Different vignettes were printed: COROMANDEL AIR PAGEANT and OPENING OF COROMANDEL AIRPORT.


1977, 5 December

COROMANDEL-AUCKLAND & VICE VERSA

First flight by Coromandel Air Services after the Official Opening of Coromandel Airport Large vignettes printed in black on gummed yellow paper (Coromandel-Auckland and Auckland-Coromandel) were affixed to covers. Outward letters were postmarked 5 Dec. and inward were postmarked 6 Dec, on arrival at Coromandel.

Overseas Flight: 1978, 24-27 Feb.


1978, 31 March

LAST SERVICE BY NZ NATIONAL AIRWAYS CORPORATION

Before being incorporated into Air New Zealand on 1 April. Flights on this date may be regarded as "Last Flights" but the final service was Flight 634 from Wellington to Auckland by Boeing 737 ZK-NAP which carried a small unofficial mail.


1978, 1 April

FIRST INTERNAL FLIGHT BY AIR NEA ZEALAND

Several flights carrying mail, which closed at post offices at 5.00am. on 1 April, can be regarded as first flights by Air NZ internal services.

Overseas Flights: 1978, 1-2 Apr. / 1978, 19-27 Apr.


1978, 15 July

50th ANNIVERSARY OF FORMATION

Of the Marlborough Aero Club, whose second DH 60 Gipsy Moth ZK-AAA was the first aircraft to be registered in N.Z. under the 1929 revised Civil Aviation Register. The Air Mail Society of N.Z. arranged with the Club for a commemorative flight and a parachute mail drop to take place at Omaka aerodrome, Blenheim, during the anniversary celebrations, and had souvenir covers printed for the occasion. 950 covers were postmarked WOODBOURNE AIR FORCE - 15 JUNE 78 and were flown on Sunday, 16 July by Mr LA. Guard in the club's Piper PA-18A Super Cub ZK-BPG over Omaka aerodrome, where they were dropped by parachute. The covers were flown from Blenheim to Christchurch by Air NZ and a cachet reading "Parachute Mail" was applied in violet.


1978, 12 August

SPECIAL PIGEON POST FLIGHT

Organised by the Philatelic Foundation (Christchurch) in conjunction with the Christchurch Pigeon Flying Clubs. Sheetlets of four Cinderella "stamps" depicting a dove were printed by Purse, Willis & Aitken Ltd. One "stamp" was affixed to each of the 1,000 flown flimsies which were then placed in special envelopes for distribution.

Overseas Flights: 1978, 9-10 Sept. / 1978, 10 Sept. / 1978, 11 Sept. / 1978, 13 Oct.


1978, 8 November

WELLINGTON-CHRISTCHURCH CAR FERRY SERVICE

Inaugurated by Carvair ZK-NWA of Nation-wide Air Ltd. A small unofficial mail of illustrated covers was flown and postmarked on arrival CHRISTCHURCH 8 NO 78.

Overseas Flights: 1978, 7, 14, 21, 28 Nov. / 1978, Nov.-Dec.


1978, 2 December

NORTH ISLAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION RECORD

Was broken when the Wellington District Aero Club's Cessna U206C ZK-DRH piloted by J. Barber with W. Laffey, co-pilot and R. Sullivan. navigator completed the flight of 9 hrs. 27 minutes. Souvenir covers postmarked PARAPARAUMU 1 DE 78 were flown on the attempt, after which they were signed by the crew. A vignette was affixed and rubber stamped with a cachet giving details of the flight.


1979, 8, 9, 10 March

EMERGENCY FLIGHTS BY MOUNT COOK AIRLINES

Cessna and a helicopter of Winged Hunters Ltd were made between the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers when severe flooding damaged the roads. Small mails were carried between these villages but no identifying markings were applied.

8 March. - Fox Glacier-Franz Josef Glacier & return

Overseas Flight: 1979, 1-3 May


1979, 20 August

THE SECOND SPECIAL PIGEON POST FLIGHT

Organised by the Philatelic Foundation of Christchurch. A sheetlet of 4 cinderella "stamps" showing a Pigeon in Flight was printed by Purse, Willis & Aitken Ltd and one stamp was affixed to each of the 1,000 flimsies flown, which were then enclosed in souvenir envelopes.

Overseas Flights: 1979, 28 Nov. / 1979, Nov. / 1979, Nov.-Dec. / 1979, 1 Dec. / 1980, Feb. / 1980, 5-8 July / 1980, 1-3 Aug. / 1980, 3 Aug.


1980, 7 September

THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION OF CHRISTCHURCH

Again organised a special Pigeon Post Flight. Sheetlets of four cinderella "stamps" depicting a pigeon's head (first and fourth) and a pair of pigeons (second and third) were printed by Purse, Willis and Aitken Ltd. 1,000 flimsies were flown and each one had a cinderella "stamp" affixed.


1980, 16 September

THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND HOT AIR BALLOON MAIL

Was organised by the Air Mail Society of N.Z. to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of its foundation. The Cameron 0.77 Balloon ZK-FBI piloted by W.H. Wealleans, was flown from Centennial Park, Christchurch to Prebbleton. Souvenir covers produced by the Society were cancelled by a relief postmark at Christchurch on 16 September and were backstamped at the Prebbleton Post Office on 8 October. As the flight had been delayed because of adverse winds, a four-line explanatory cachet was applied to the 950 covers.

Overseas Flights: 1980, 27-30 Oct. / 1980, 29 Nov. / 1980, Nov.-Dec. / 1980, 3 Dec.
Overseas Flights: 1981, 1 Jan. / 1981, 2 Mar. / 1981, 28 Mar. / 1981, 11-17 June / 1981, 20 June / 1981, 30 June / 1981, 1-17 July / 1981, 22 July


1981, 17 August

CHRISTCHURCH-MASTERTON

SERVICE commenced by Wairarapa Airlines Ltd Piper Navajo Chieftain ZK-PKC. A small unofficial mail was postmarked CHRISTCHURCH AIR MAIL 17 AUG 81 11-AM and then flown to Masterton but was not backstamped.


1981, 29 August

SPECIAL SOUVENIR PIGEON POST FLIGHT

Organised by the Philatelic Foundation of Christchurch in conjunction with the local Pigeon Clubs. A sheetlet of four Cinderella "stamps" featuring two different breeds of pigeons was printed and one of these "stamps" was affixed to each of the 1,200 flimsies flown.


1981, 21-28 September

AIR CENTRAL INAUGURATED A SERVICE

Connecting central North Island towns and obtained an air mail contract to carry mail from these centres. Mails were flown from Napier on the 21st and Gisborne on the 28th. Mails were also scheduled to be flown from Hamilton, Palmerston North and New Plymouth on 28 December but verification has not been forthcoming.

21 Sept. - Napier-Gisborne-Hamilton-New Plymouth-Palmerston N-Tauranga
28 Sept. - Gisborne-Hamilton


1981, 12 November

INVERCARGILL-AUCKLAND

50th Anniversary of Squadron Leader M.C. McGregor's flight in Simmonds Spartan ZK-ABU, picking up mail at six places. Commemorative mail was carried from Invercargill-Auckland on a scheduled Air New Zealand flight.


1981, 10 December

50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AIR TRAVEL

Auckland-Gisborne and return survey flight by Squadron Leader M.C. McGregor in Simmonds Spartan ZK-ABU. A re-enactment flight carried commemorative covers on each of the 12 stages.

Overseas Flights: 1982, 15 Jan. / 1982, 2 Apr. / 1982, 16 June / 1982, 2 Aug. / 1982, 25 Aug. / 1982, 3 Nov. / 1982, 4 Nov.


1982, 18 December

CHRISTCHURCH-ROTORUA AND RETURN

Mount Cook Airlines H.S.748 "Philatelic Flight" organised to mark the opening of the Philatelic Bureaux at Christchurch and Rotorua. Pictorial postmarks were used at each Bureau and as backstamps on the incoming covers.


1982, 18 December

SPECIAL PIGEON POST SOUVENIR FLIGHT

Organised by the Philatelic Foundation, Christchurch in conjunction with the Christchurch Pigeon Flying Clubs. A sheetlet of four cinderella "stamps" depicting the Captain Scott statue in Christchurch was printed for the occasion. The birds were released from near the statue. 1,000 flimsies were flown and cinderella "stamps" were affixed to each one.

Overseas Flights: 1983, 21 Feb. / 1983, 4 May


1983, 1 December

50th ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST FLIGHT

From North Cape to Bluff in one day. Flight lieutenant Don Haggitt and co-pilot Peter Strugnell flew Piper Cherokee 181 Warrior ZK-EBS from Kaitaia to Invercargill carrying covers depicting Gipsy Moth ZK-ABP which made the original flight, over an outline map of N.Z. The covers were postmarked at Kaitaia and backstamped at Invercargill with a relief postmark on the same day.


1983, 12 December

50th ANNIVERSARY OF CHARLES ULM'S NON-STOP FLIGHT

From Auckland to Invercargill in Avro Ten VH-UXX "Faith in Australia". Commemorative souvenir covers posted in Auckland were flown on a scheduled Air NZ flight to Invercargill, where they were backstamped with a relief postmark.


1983, 18 December

SPECIAL PIGEON POST FLIGHT

Organised by the Philatelic Foundation of Christchurch in conjunction with the Christchurch Pigeon Flying Clubs. Sheetlets of four cinderella "stamps" showing the Captain Cook statue in Christchurch were printed and one "stamp" was affixed on each of the 750 flown flimsies.

Overseas Flights: 1984, 1 Apr. / 1984, 2-3 Apr. / 1984, 11 Apr. / 1984, 15 Aug. / 1984, 18 Sept. / 1984, 23 Sept.


1984, 6 November

THE 40th ANNIVERSARY

Of the inauguration of the Union Airways Invercargill-Dunedin service. Souvenir covers were cancelled with a relief datestamp at Invercargill and were carried on a scheduled Air NZ service to Christchurch. Covers were backstamped at Invercargill, Dunedin and Christchurch. The covers incorrectly shows "United Airways" instead of "Union Airways" and the pilot's name, "Nevill Jackson" should be without a hyphen.


1984, 16 December

SPECIAL PIGEON POST

Organised by the Philatelic Foundation of Christchurch in conjunction with the Christchurch Pigeon Flying Clubs. A sheetlet of cinderella "stamps" was printed, showing breeds of native pigeons, and one "stamp" was affixed to each of the 750 flown flimsies. On this occasion the pigeons were released from Hagley Park.
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The information used on this site has been sourced
from the following three publications:

"THE AIR MAILS OF NEW ZEALAND, Volume One,
THE INTERNAL FLIGHTS"
(1897-1955) by DOUGLAS A. WALKER

"AIRMAILS OF NEW ZEALAND, Volume Two,
THE OVERSEAS FLIGHTS
1928-1940" by DOUGLAS A. WALKER

"THE NEW ZEALAND AIRMAIL CATALOGUE" Third Edition, 2009
(editor: Mike Shand) Author JAMES A. STAPLETON

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE PUBLISHER

Kind permission for their material to be used on this website
has been granted by:

THE AIR MAIL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND Inc,
Box 29-144, Fendalton,
Christchurch,
New Zealand

Air Mail Society of New Zealand website

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