Interview with Gavin Grocott

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

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004390 - OHLC-004392