Mangere Aerodrome
Mangere Aerodrome, named after a nearby suburb, was the original home of the Auckland Aero Club. It is now the site of Auckland Airport. Mangere Aerodrome's claim to fame was as the arrival point for New Zealand aviator, and aeroclub member, Jean Batten's solo flight from the United Kingdom in 1936. The RNZAF requisitioned the aerodrome from 1939 until 1944, renaming it RNZAF Station Mangere. In 1961, the Auckland Aero Club moved to Ardmore aerodrome and Mangere Aerodrome closed. The new Auckland Airport opened in 1965. Early years Auckland Aero Club formed in 1928, and began operating from farmland at Māngere near the Manukau Harbour, leased from a farmer named G. Peacock. The aero club allowed aircraft owners a place to enjoy their 'hobby' without offending the residents of Auckland. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith visited the Mangere Aerodrome on 18 September 1928, after completing his 1928 Trans-Tasman flight to Christchurch. In 1933 a concrete circle was created to guide landings. In October 1936, Jean Batten was met by a crowd of 6,000 people at the Mangere Aerodrome, after completing her solo flight from England to New Zealand in 11 days and 45 minutes; a record that stood for 45 years.