Making New Zealand - Aviation

This episode of Making New Zealand reminisces on early aviation highs and lows, as New Zealand's air industry evolved. In 1911, brothers Vivian and Leo Walsh made the country's first powered flight. Since then, it's been difficult to keep Kiwis out of the sky. The episode also includes footage of famous flights, including record-breaker Jean Batten returning from her solo flight from the United Kingdom — the first person to achieve this feat. Interviews with airline bosses, pilots, air hostesses and aviation experts shed light on Aotearoa's love for air travel. 

It was seen as dangerous, it was seen as risky, it was seen as exciting. And there were some injuries, and the occasional death, but really, it was a remarkable testimony to their efforts.

– Aviation historian Richard Waugh on New Zealand's early aircraft pioneers, at the start of this episode

Key Cast & Crew

Francis Glenday

Editor

George Murahidy

Cinematographer

Laurie Clarke

Producer

Stephen Barnett

Original Concept

Mark Clare

Narrator

Candida Beveridge

Director, Writer, Research