Cook Strait is New Zealand's great natural divide. This books tells how aviation conquered the barrier of rough water bringing communication and economic benefits of national significance. The first flight 'strait across' in 1920 was considered a brave and courageous feat. Rapid aeronautical progress led to the viability of regular services by 1935. Nelson based Cook Strait Airways was the first scheduled airline to operate between Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast. Since that time many airlines have operated through periods of nationalisation and deregulation. Illustrated by many rare photographs this book tells the pioneering story of how aviation linked the two islands of New Zealand with its most important air route.
Published 1995