Air Auckland facts for kids

Air Auckland, once known as Flight Hauraki, was a small airline in New Zealand. It was based at Ardmore Airport. This airline flew planes and offered regular flights. You could fly with them to places like Whitianga and Great Barrier Island. The airline stopped flying on May 31, 2023.

History of Air Auckland

How Flight Hauraki Started

Flight Hauraki started on March 17, 2008. It was connected to MDR Aviation Ltd, a company that rented out planes.

Early Flights and Services

In 2010, Flight Hauraki began flying. They offered special charter flights and sightseeing tours. Their base was at the North Shore Aerodrome. They used Cessna 172 and Cessna 207 planes for these trips.

In March 2012, the airline took over some flights. They started flying from Waiheke Island to Auckland Airport. They also offered sightseeing tours and flights from Great Barrier Island.

Later in 2012, Flight Hauraki tried a new service. They flew from Kerikeri and Whangārei to North Shore. Passengers could then take a special bus to Auckland city. This service was not very popular and stopped in February 2013.

Moving Bases and New Routes

In 2014, the airline moved its main base to Waiheke Island. They also set up a smaller base at Ardmore. From Ardmore, they started an "Island Hopper" service. This service offered two daily flights from Ardmore to Waiheke Island and then to Great Barrier Island. Flight Hauraki also offered many flights to Waiheke Island when people needed them.

New Owners and Renaming

In 2015, the founder, Paul McSherry, sold the company. The new owners, New Zealand Aviation Group Limited, focused more on flights for tourists. In 2018, the airline changed its name to Air Auckland.

A Cessna 172 plane at Ardmore in 2019. This plane used to fly for Flight Hauraki and then for Air Auckland.

Air Auckland's Planes

Air Auckland used these types of planes:

• 2 Cessna 172
• 1 Cessna 206

Places Air Auckland Flew To

Air Auckland flew to several places, mostly in New Zealand's North Island:

• Ardmore
• North Shore Airport
• Great Barrier Island
  • Claris
  • Okiwi (if people asked for it)
• Whitianga
• Coromandel
• Pauanui
• Taupō
• Anywhere else on the North Island in New Zealand