Remote memorial marks flying efforts

Wartime flying memories at the site of the country's northernmost defence base during World War II will soon be revived when a memorial is built at Waipapakauri, 12km northwest of Kaitaia.

The tiny rural settlement, on the road to Cape Reinga, was host to a forward Air Force base used by part of No 7 General Reconnaissance Squadron in the early to mid-1940s.

What is now farmland and pasture behind the Waipapakauri Hotel used to be home to old RNZAF Vincent and Wildebeest aircraft, Hudson bombers, DC-3s and later, American Liberator bombers and Kittyhawks.

A community project, with money from a variety of sources, is now nearly ready to start work on a memorial to honour those who served at the airfield 60-odd years ago.

Engineering designs are being finalised for construction of a concrete plinth, next to the Waipapakauri Hotel, on which a specially prepared DC-3 propeller will be mounted.

The memorial will also feature a plaque and photographs to commemorate the role played by aircraft, flight crew, medical, support staff and local residents.

Far North District Council governance liaison officer Sheryl Bainbridge says the Waipapakauri frontline base against invasion from the north was of national importance and should be recognised.

New Zealand Vincent and Wildebeest aircraft - single-engine bi-planes past their use-by date even then - carried torpedoes and depth charges for use against enemy ships or submarines. Their top speed was about 210km/h.

American aircraft often used the base on their way to and from the Pacific war against Japan.

Operations from the airfield carried their share of wartime tragedy.

A Hudson bomber crashed in mangroves in the nearby Rangaunu Harbour, killing its crew.

A Vincent crashed on the airfield runway, and a Wildebeest and a DC-3 are also believed to have been lost in the area.

The Kaitaia-based Northern Community Board has taken the lead in pulling the memorial project together over the past two years.

A total of more than $25,000 has come from the Bay Foundation, Lottery Grants Board, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Far North Mayoral Fund.

It is hoped to have the memorial constructed and established in time for Anzac Day commemorations in April next year.