History: How Nelson Airport came to be

BY ROBYN PARKES

When the first aeroplane came to Nelson in 1921, it landed in Arnold’s paddock at Spring Grove. The next plane used Saxton’s paddock at Stoke, while other machines used Tāhunanui Beach. As flying increased, the need for an aerodrome became apparent.

The matter was taken up by the Nelson Aero Club, and the Brooklands estate at Stoke with its large flat paddocks and proximity to town was chosen as a suitable site for an aerodrome.

The advent of Cook Strait Airways drew attention to the need for an aerodrome which would keep up with the rapid growth of air travel. Nelson Harbour Board stepped in and took the lead in the provision of a permanent airport around 1935. Government suggested that a B class aerodrome would be sufficient for Nelson, but the Harbour Board lobbied for an A class landing ground which was approved.

After looking at several sites, Quarantine Reserve in Tāhunanui was decided to be the most suitable with its sea front. Once approved the Harbour Board was appointed the controlling air authority for Nelson.

The next step was to acquire the reserve area, but in finding it was too small, more land was needed. The Defence Department had an interest in the property to the southwest, and there were a number of property owners on the northern and eastern side of the reserve whose land had to be acquired. Negotiations to purchase the privately-owned land proved difficult with valuations varying from the price set by the owners, so the matter was submitted to the Arbitration Court to fix the prices.

In July 1936 the Harbour Board approved £15,000 for the site for a two-year period - £7000 to go to the Government as the board’s share of the preparation of the ground and the balance to be used in the purchase of land and erection of buildings. The Government approved £30,000 for construction work, the estimated total cost being £38,000. As is often the case, the cost ballooned out due to the purchase of extra land. Four runways were proposed, one running north and south in direction at 1030 yards in length, cut by one running east and west of 1000 yards and two additional runways each of 1000 yards to give a plane about 5/8ths of a mile runway whatever the direction of the wind.

The commencement of work ceremony was performed in February 1937 by the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works and Transport with a large crowd of about 1500 people attending. Contractors, Messrs Gough, Gough and Hamer Ltd. of Christchurch, were given 18 months to complete the project which entailed removing over 500,000 cubic yards of soil.

To carry out the work, two diesel-powered tractors, each weighing 15 tons and having 110 horsepower, along with a 12 and a seven cubic yard scoop were brought in from outside of Nelson. The concept of bulldozing by using the tractor with a road making blade in front of it created much interest, with people gathering to watch it operate.

Around 2000 yards of soil was moved each day, with only two men required to operate the tractors which were going continuously with a driver taking over while another broke for lunch.

On the 8 October 1938, in perfect weather and before a large crowd of over 2000, the new Nelson Aerodrome was officially opened by the Hon. R. Semple.