South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand

Date: 14 Sep 1998

From: National Airways Corporation (NAC) 50th anniversary oral history project, Stages I and II

By: Kirkham, Albert Roger, 1917-1999

Reference: OHInt-0439-03

Description: Roger Kirkham was born in Dunedin in 1917. Gives details of his family background, childhood in Caversham and attitudes to religion and politics. Mentions his father worked at the Mosgiel Woollen Mills and later at the Onehunga Woollen Mills as a designer. Talks about the death of his sister and two brothers at a young age. Describes being close to his uncle with whom he became involved in drama and in doing a radio play. Recalls education at Mt Albert Grammar School. Describes doing a commerce degree and going to Wellington as a cadet with the Transport Department. Mentions marriage to Marjorie Gapes in 1943. Discusses being a survey officer in the Field Regiment of the artillery during World War II, becoming a chartered accountant after the war and becoming the NAC branch accountant in Auckland. Discusses the RNZAF, Whenuapai, the conversion of DC3 aeroplanes and, antipathy between Union Airways and the Air Force. Explains how NAC was made up. Recalls moving to Christchurch as a personnel administration officer and talks about industrial problems and some of the staff. Discusses Arthur Smaile and NAC chairmen Sir Leonard Isitt, Sir Andrew McKee, Alan Gilkison and Bill Mace. Talks about pilots including those involved in crashes at Port Underwood and on Ruapehu. Mentions the DC3 crash at Waikanae and the 1957 Bristol Freighter crash at Christchurch. Describes the establishment of Straits Air Freight Express (SAFE) based in Blenheim and its General Manager, Des Linsky. Comments on Mt Cook Airline and Harry Wigley. Discusses Geoffrey Roberts, Morrie Davis, Doug Patterson and Group Captain J J (Jack) Busch. Discusses routes, airways, airport dues and Ministry of Transport involvement. Discusses the introduction of the Vickers Viscount in 1958 and the ordering of Fokker Friendship aeroplanes. Mentions the possibility of merger with TEAL. Discusses the formation of SPANZ in 1960 supported by Keith Holyoake. Recalls becoming superintendent of economic research at Head Office in 1962. Discusses NAC's financial difficulties, staff reduction by attrition and discussions with Doug Patterson and Allan Kenning. Describes market research work and trying to develop a demand forecast model. Talks about becoming Director of Planning, withdrawing an aeroplane from service and the political reaction. Comments on the relationship between NAC and Air New Zealand and the attitude of Air New Zealand to building the Rongotai terminal. Recalls becoming Assistant General Manager (Commercial) and advising Polynesian Airlines on replacing its aircraft. Discusses freight services and the insistence of Peter Gordon on maintaining Safe Air. Discusses the computerisation of reservation systems. Refers to cabinet ministers Peter Gordon, Martin Finlay, Tom Shand, Colin McLachlan and Sir Basil Arthur. Mentions Bert Edwards. Describes retirement and becoming director of Safe Air, NZ Aerospace Industries and Freeline Reservations. Mentions involvement with the Double Bay tourist resort proposal. Discusses the Erebus crash and attempts by Doug Patterson to have polar flights stopped before the crash. Comments on the change of coordinates leading to the crash and on the opinion of Judge Mahon. Mentions Morrie Davis, Norman Geary, Robert Muldoon and Des Dalgety. Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008632-OHC-008636; OHLC-004398-OHLC-004402 Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 5 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA 2699. Photo of Roger and Joan Kirkham and granddaughter; photo of Roger Kirkham about 1958; photo of Roger Kirkham and other NAC managers during training Search dates: 1917 - 1998

Date: 22 Sep 1998

From: National Airways Corporation (NAC) 50th anniversary oral history project, Stages I and II

By: Grocott, Gavin Kay, 1914-1999

Reference: OHInt-0439-01

Description: Gavin Grocott was born in Wellington in 1914. Gives details of his parents' backgrounds. Describes his father who was postmaster at a number of South Island towns. Talks about living at Kelburn, Nelson and Pahiatua and attending Pahiatua District High School and Wellington College. Discusses his first job in 1950 with the Union Steam Ship Company. Talks about the influence of Managing Director Norrie Falla who helped establish commercial aviation in New Zealand. Mentions marrying Molly Scott in 1940. Recalls going to World War II with the 2NZEF, being wounded and returning to New Zealand on a hospital ship. Describes no job at Union Steam Ship Company after the war, working for Union Airways (later NAC), becoming the Head Office representative for technical headquarters at Palmerston North and trips to Wellington to meet the chairman Sir Leonard Isitt. Mentions Wellington was a secondary airport. Give details of the 1949 Lodestar plane crash at Waikanae, the 1954 DC3 crash at Paraparaumu and the Kaimai crash. Describes becoming District Manager in Wellington in 1949. Discusses passengers going to Paraparaumu and the operation of Cook Strait Airways from the NAC office at Rongotai. Discusses becoming Auckland District Manager in 1957 and responsibility for the new terminal in central Auckland. Mentions General Manager Doug Patterson. Describes becoming Assistant General Manager and having responsibility for finance, operations, engineering, traffic, sales and marketing. Discusses NAC board members and some staff. Talks about South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand (SPANZ) and TEAL. Comments on pressure to acquire jet aircraft, the new building at Wellington and the 1973 Air New Zealand merger bid. Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008624-OHC-008626; OHLC-004390-OHLC-004392 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA 2697. Two photos of Gavin Grocott and photo of Gavin Grocott and family in the 1980s Search dates: 1914 - 1998

Date: 10 Dec 1960

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-54593

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Photographic negative

Date: 1960 - 1969

Reference: Eph-A-AVIATION-1960s

Description: Includes: ca 1960: Sic-Sac for use during moments of stomach upset. Exclusive with Allied Aviation Supplies Co., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ca 1960: Third Walsh Memorial Air Pageant (under the patronage of the NZ Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society). Wellington Airport. Official programme 1961: Radio engineering with Civil Aviation Administration Air Department. 1961 1961: South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand. Timetable and fares, effective 17 December 1961 to 17 March 1962. ca 1962?: Marlborough Aero Club. M.A.C. Air Travel, Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim. Fly over Marlborough; see the beauty spots of the sunshine province with M.A.C. Air Travel 1962: Pan Am local time table. South Pacific, USA, Europe. Condensed schedules, April 1-29 1962 1966: Grand air pageant to commemorate the opening of the Auckland International Airport at Mangere, Auckland. Saturday Sunday Mondy 29-31 January 1966. Official programme 1967: New Plymouth Airport official opening and Royal New Zealand Aero Club, March 3-4 1967. Souvenir programme 1969: Tourist Air Travel. Fly the skyways over sheer magnificence, by New Zealand Tourist Air Travel [T.A.T.]. Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford; also at Auckland & Invercargill ca 1969?: Taupo Flying School and Air Services Ltd. Scenic flights from Taupo and National Park. Manager / chief flying instructor Peter Matich For military aviation, see Eph-A-AIR-FORCE Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Photolithographs, offset prints, on flyers and booklets, sizes varying up to 240 mm. Provenance: One item donated by Dr Les Cleveland, 1998; Transfers: To Photographic Archive - PAColl-8307.

Date: 26 Jun 1965

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-64804-F

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 2 Dec 1962

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-58657f-F

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

Date: 2 Dec 1962

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-58657a-F

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

Date: 2 Dec 1962

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-58657d-F

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

Date: [ca December 1960]

From: Raine, William Hall, 1892-1955 :Negatives of New Zealand towns and scenery, and Fiji

Reference: 1/2-045011-F

Description: Five unidentified women at Paraparaumu Airport, alongside the South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand counter. The four hat boxes in the foreground have "Millinery by Gainsborough" printed on them. Photograph taken by William Hall Raine, circa December 1960.. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: 19 Dec 1961

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-56445-F

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

Date: [between 1960-1966]

From: Raine, William Hall, 1892-1955 :Negatives of New Zealand towns and scenery, and Fiji

Reference: 1/2-045014-F

Description: South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand (SPANZ) Douglas DC-3 Viewmaster aeroplane ZK-BYD 'Ernest Rutherford' on the tarmac at Rongotai Airport, Wellington. Photograph taken between 1960-1966 by an unidentified photographer, probably a photographer who carried on the work of the Wellington studio of William Hall Raine. Source of descriptive information - Notes on file print. Rongotai Airport recognised by cataloguer. Date estimated by cataloguer (note: South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand operated from December 1960-February 1966. Information from http://www.simviation.com/fs2002vintage22.htm accessed 2009)) Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 2 Dec 1962

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-58658a-F

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate