New Zealand North Island - Kaitaia to Wellington Intl
The North Island of New Zealand is the smaller and most populous of the southwestern Pacific Ocean nation's two main islands. Like its southern sibling, the North Island is a geologically active area comprising numerous volcanic peaks, lava fields, and other landforms that were forged through the tectonic processes of the Pacific Rim of Fire.
Due to its dynamic and relatively recent genesis, the North Island beholds a diverse trove of natural sights to explore from the air. These include a variety of peaks, lakes, sand dunes, rivers, and coastlines. The North Island is also a region teeming with human geography, both historic and modern. Sights range from solitary pastoral cottages to glimmering urban skylines.
This journey begins in the northernmost aspect of the island, the Aupouri Peninsula, part of the Far North District. The flight plan weaves southward, visiting both coasts, the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, and myriad locations in the interior. It ends at Wellington, the capital of New Zealand and the country's most populous city.
Total Legs: 8 Total Distance: 590 Total Time(125kts): 4 hours 43 minutes
Leg 1
Kaitaia to Whangārei
Leg Distance: 80.8 Approximate time at 125kts: 39 minutes.
Kaitaia(NZKT) to Kaitaia City(POI1)
Distance: 2.76NM Bearing: 187° 1 minutes
After lifting off from Kaitaia Airport, head south-southwest toward Kaitaia, the farthest north large town in New Zealand.
Kaitaia City(POI1) to Victoria Valley(POI2)
Distance: 7.72NM Bearing: 89° 4 minutes
Once over Kaitaia, turn into an east-southeast heading and follow State Highway 1 and the Victoria River to the small hamlet of Victoria Valley.
Victoria Valley(POI2) to Mangamuka Summit(POI3)
Distance: 3.27NM Bearing: 118° 2 minutes
Continue tracking State Highway 1 up through its sinuous route into the Maungataniwha Range. Called by the locals in the area the Mangamuka, significant line of peaks stretches from east to west coast in this section of the Northland Peninsula. Pass over Mangamuka Summit, the highway's high point through the range.
Mangamuka Summit(POI3) to Mangamuka Marae(POI4)
Distance: 4.22NM Bearing: 87° 2 minutes
From Mangamuka Summit, continue to the east-southeast to Mangamuka Marae, a sacred altar in this part of New Zealand.
Mangamuka Marae(POI4) to Mangamuka River(POI5)
Distance: 4.89NM Bearing: 166° 2 minutes
From Mangamuka Marae, turn to the south and gain a visual on the northern arm of Hokianga Harbour. Follow the Mangamuka River, which flows south from Mangamuka Marae, to where it flows into Hokianga Harbour.
Mangamuka River(POI5) to Rangiahua(POI6)
Distance: 5.14NM Bearing: 78° 2 minutes
Turn to the east and sight Highway 1. Fly over its route to the town of Rangiahua.
Rangiahua(POI6) to Lake Omapere(POI7)
Distance: 8.18NM Bearing: 91° 4 minutes
From Rangiahua, gain a visual on the circular Lake Omapere. The lake was formed when a lava flow created a blockage on the lake's north side, allowing it to fill with water.
Lake Omapere(POI7) to Kaikohe(POI8)
Distance: 3.4NM Bearing: 153° 2 minutes
From Lake Omapere, turn south and fly over the town of Kaikohe, the largest town in this part of New Zealand.
Kaikohe(POI8) to Awarua(POI9)
Distance: 10.6NM Bearing: 151° 5 minutes
Continue south from Kaikohe, gaining a visual on Kaikohe Aerodrome. Pass just to the west of Kaikohe Aerodrome and follow the course of Mangakahia Road, the primary north-south corridor in this section of New Zealand. Sight the small community of Awarua, which lies at the intersection of the Awaua River and Mangakahia Road.
Awarua(POI9) to Pakotai(POI10)
Distance: 7.05NM Bearing: 137° 3 minutes
From Awarua, maintain a general southerly heading, turning slightly to the east, and continue to track the corridor through which Mangakahia Road runs. Admire the Mangakahia Forest to the east and the Marlborough Forest to the west, then pass over the Opouteke River, which leads to the village of Pakotai.
Pakotai(POI10) to Maungatapere(POI11)
Distance: 15.9NM Bearing: 86° 8 minutes
Turn onto an east-southeast course at Pakotai and follow the general course of the winding Mangakahia Road to the village of Maungatapere, located where State Highway 14 crosses Mangakahia Road.
Maungatapere(POI11) to Whangārei(NZWR)
Distance: 7.67NM Bearing: 77° 4 minutes
Continue on course, flying over a quarry and then land at Whangārei Airport, which lies on a small peninsula on the north end of Whangārei Harbour. Whangārei Harbour is an important industrial center in New Zealand, notably due to its coal terminal and oil refinery.
Leg 2
Whangārei to North Shore
Leg Distance: 62.25 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.
Whangārei(NZWR) to Parua Bay(POI12)
Distance: 3.84NM Bearing: 84° 2 minutes
After lifting off from Whangārei Airport, set an east-southeast heading and sight a small peninsula, the south end of which is called Manganese Point. Fly over the narrow strip of land and pass by Parua Bay, located on the northern aspect of Whangārei Harbour.
Parua Bay(POI12) to One Tree Point(POI13)
Distance: 2.65NM Bearing: 149° 1 minutes
Turn south at Parua Bay, flying over Shell Cut Reach on the eastern end of Whangārei Harbour, to pass over One Tree Point, a coastal community on the shores of Marsden Bay.
One Tree Point(POI13) to Waipu(WAIPU)
Distance: 9.34NM Bearing: 164° 4 minutes
From One Tree Point, head south, passing over Marsden City and then track just inland of the shore of Bream Bay, which opens to the Pacific Ocean. Waipu, a town that lies at the confluence of the Waipu River and the Ahuroa River, lies just ahead.
Waipu(WAIPU) to Mangawhai Harbour(POI14)
Distance: 10.23NM Bearing: 120° 5 minutes
From Waipu, sight Bream Tail, the point of land that defines the southern extremity of Bream Bay. Remaining inland of the shore of Bream Bay, pass just to the west of Bream Tail and sight Mangawhai Harbour.
Mangawhai Harbour(POI14) to Te Arai(POI15)
Distance: 6.67NM Bearing: 161° 3 minutes
Set a course due south from Mangawhai Harbour and parallel the general pathway of Mangawhai Road, admiring the countryside of rolling hills and forest. Pass over Te Arai in the vicinity of where Mangawhai Road turns from a north-south heading to an east-west track. Te Arai is an area renowned on the North Island for its agriculture.
Te Arai(POI15) to Wayby(WAYBY)
Distance: 6.49NM Bearing: 175° 3 minutes
From Te Arai, turn onto a heading just west of due south and head inland. Follow the corridor through which Waiteitei Road, the primary thoroughfare in the immediate vicinity, passes. In the distance, sight Springhill Airport, which lies just to the north of State Highway 1. Wayby, a small agricultural village, lies just south of State Highway 1 and just west of the airport.
Wayby(WAYBY) to Warkworth(POI16)
Distance: 7.15NM Bearing: 106° 3 minutes
At Wayby, follow State Highway 1 southeast through the Dome Forest to the town of Warkworth, which lies where the Mahurangi River meets Mahurangi Harbour on the North Island's east coast. Warkworth lies in the heart of the country's Kowhai Coast, which is named for the kowhai tree, which is native to the area.
Warkworth(POI16) to Orewa(OREWA)
Distance: 11.33NM Bearing: 154° 5 minutes
From Warkworth, head to the south, following the general track of State Highway 1, flying just inland of the coast. This section grants excellent views of the complex series of estuaries, bays, and natural harbors that defines this section of the North Island. Passing over Johnstone Hill, which lies just to the west of the juncture of State Highway 1 and the Hibiscus Coast Highway, gain a visual on Orewa, a northern suburb of Auckland. Orewa lies on the northern end of Whangaparaoa Bay, the heart of the North Island's Hibiscus Coast, which is a renowned destination due to its long stretches of inviting white sand beaches.
Orewa(OREWA) to North Shore(NZNE)
Distance: 4.55NM Bearing: 178° 2 minutes
At Orewa, turn on to a south-southwest heading, flying inland and pass over the intersection of State Highway 1 and Dairy Flat Highway. Gain a visual on the North Shore Aerodrome and land.