Hamilton International Airport

Aviation in the Waikato began in 1894 when Miss Leila Adair made a balloon ascent from Sydney Square (now Steele Park). This is the first recorded aviation event in the region.  In the early 1920s aircraft started landing at Jack Steele's farm in Rukuhia.  In the 1930s the Auckland Aero Club started a branch at Te Rapa on land belonging to Mr D.V. Bryant.  This was later to become the Waikato Aero Club.  Aviators including Jean Batten and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith visited Hamilton in the 1930s.   

Photograph: Hamilton Airport, 1966. (Hamilton City Libraries image 3250)

In the 1930s Charley Bishop Smith started to look for a location to establish an airport for Hamilton.  He approached Jack Steele who agreed to sell 134 acres of his land for an airport. At the time it was built the hangar at the Airport was one of the largest in the Dominion and offered 3,750 square feet of space.

Hamilton Airport was officially opened on 12 October 1935 by the Minister of Health and Internal Affairs, Sir Alexander Young and the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr J.R. Fow.

After the airport opened, interest in aviation in the area grew and there were many competitions.  A flying scholarship was organised and the Steele Runnymede Cup and Foote Cup were keenly contested.  The Waikato Aero Club was now based at the airport.

Photograph: Jean Batten's visit to Hamilton, 1936. (Hamilton City Libraries image 6044)

During World War II the airport was taken over by the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 12 August 1942 under the command of Squadron Leader H.G. Wilson. The No. 1 Stores Depot was moved from Auckland to the Waikato Winter Show buildings. No. 2 and 3 Aerodrome Defence Squadrons were billeted at the Narrows.

The No. 1 mobile Construction Unit under the command of Hamiltonian, Squadron Leader F. Butler undertook to enlarge the land owned by the Waikato Airport Board into an aerodrome that could handle even the largest operational aircraft.

The Air Force used the airport until 30 June 1946 when R.N.Z.A.F. Station Hamilton officially closed.  The New Zealand National Airways Corporation was formed in April 1947 and officials and the public turned out to celebrate the arrival of the Veteran Lockheed 10 Electra ZK-AFD Kuaka on 27 September 1947, which started the NAC service from Hamilton to Wellington.

At the end of the 1950s Hamilton Airport needed to be upgraded so newer aircraft could land.  A new terminal building and a longer runway were constructed.

The new building was officially opened by the Minister of Works, the Hon. P.B. Allen on 26 March, 1966.

Hamilton Airport became an International Airport in 1995 when Kiwi Air started flying to Australia.  In 1996 the Government sold it's remaining share in the Airport to the five local councils who were the other shareholders.

Photograph: Hamilton Airport, 1966. (Hamilton City Libraries image 3245)

At the same time work was starting on a new terminal to handle the international passengers with a new arrivals hall and customs area.  The new International Terminal was opened on 27 September 1996 by the Prime Minisiter the Rt. Hon. James Bolger and the Maori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

Freedom Air started flying across the Tasman in December 1995.  Neither international service could fly direct from Hamilton to Australia when the planes were fully laden as the Hamilton runway was too short.  A stop in Auckland to top up fuel was required for full planes. Work on a longer runway started in 1998 and the new runway extension was officially opened on 18 December 1998 by the Mayors of the five local councils which are shareholders in the airport.  At this time the airport officially became the Hamilton International Airport under the control of Waikato Regional Airport Limited. A further runway extension was completed in 2005 and a terminal redevelopment was started in 2007. The terminal was officially opened on 6 December 2007 by Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Helen Clark and Maori King Tuheitia.

Resources:

Rukuhia : a portrait of Hamilton's International Airport / Colin Zuppicich

Wings over the Waikato / B.E. Steele

Historic photographs