Evans Bay — Wellington's first international airport

On 3rd October 1950 the first scheduled Solent flight departed for Sydney (ZK-AMM “Ararangi”). In the second photograph you can see a block of flats. Two of the lock-up garages were used by TEAL for stores. A third garage was used by Customs to process departing and arriving passengers — this continued until the international terminal building was completed the following year. Passengers were transported by launch from a jetty directly across the road from the block of flats out to the flying-boat moored in the bay until a land reclaimation was completed and the braby pontoon installed. This group of photos also shows the crowd gathered for the official speeches prior to the first flight. Presumably Captain Christopher Griffiths (seen in the launch) commanded the inaugural scheduled flight.

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On 6th October 1950, passengers disembarked from the first scheduled Sydney to Wellington flight.

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The weather can be wild in Wellington Harbour at times. ZK-AMM “Ararangi” with a damaged port float on 18th October 1950.

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A replacement port float and outboard propellor for ZK-AMM “Ararangi” on a truck at Evans Bay Yacht Club on 19th October 1950.

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ZK-AMN “Awatere” receiving maintenance to the No.3 engine, then taking off from Evans Bay on 24th October 1950.