Waipapakauri Hotel and Former Airport

In 1941, when Japan entered the war, this was New Zealand's most northern airport. A Reconnaissance squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air-force was stationed here. Though poorly equipped with obsolete aircraft this was the first line of defence against invasion. At the peak of activity there were eighteen aircraft, 26 officers, 250 airmen and 110 personnel from the Women’s Auxiliary. A further 200 soldiers from the Home Guard and an artillery anti-aircraft battery were also stationed nearby. All that remains are the remnants of an underground operations bunker and the 1904 Waipapakauri Hotel which, during hostilities, had been used as a hospital and officers’ mess.

A concrete relic just up the road here, on the corner with Matich road is called the 'Command Bunker', and dates to 1939. It is possible to visit it on foot.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE WAIPAPAKAURI HOTEL

Text and Images Credit: Peter Taylor