Wigram Aerodrome
Encyclopedia
Wigram Aerodrome is a former Royal New Zealand Air Force
base located in the Christchurch
suburb of Wigram
. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram
. Originally home to the RNZAF Central Flying School (CFS), it was decommissioned in 1995 following the CFS' relocation to RNZAF Ohakea
two years earlier.
Wigram Aerodrome maintained its aviation character, with several aviation businesses using its facilities. These included Pionair Private Aircharter, Christchurch Parachute School and Christchurch Flying School.
Three Air Training Corps
units, and a Cadet Corps
unit also presently occupy buildings within the aerodrome.
Christchurch's Air Force Museum
is located at the northern side of the aerodrome. It houses a large collection of aircraft and interactive displays, and is one of only two such museums in New Zealand.
Wigram Airfield Circuit
was a temporary motor racing circuit at the Wigram Airfield. The temporary motor racing circuit was 3 km (1.9 mi) long and considered as the oldest motor race circuit since it had been racing in 1949.
broadcast a news item (video) stating that Ngai Tahu
, the owners of the aerodrome (acquired as part of a treaty
settlement claim) are to close Wigram Aerodrome by February 2009. The airfield is to be developed into housing, whilst the historic control tower and hangars are to remain as they are heritage protected buildings.
Wigram airfield officially ceased operation as an airfield at 00:00 Sunday 1 March 2009 NZ Local time. Runway closure X markers are now in place on the sealed 03/21 and grassed runways. The grass runways 03/21 and 13/31 have posts and wires across them. Cattle are also loose on the former runways. No aircraft can use this airfield anymore. The airspace above is now controlled by Christchurch Tower
On November 4 2011 rumours began that three aircraft (or the substantial remains) were excavated by housing contractors on the former airfeld site, and that private security officers were employed around the area to prevent people getting too close to the site.
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
base located in the Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
suburb of Wigram
Wigram
Wigram is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. Technically called Wigram Park, the second half of its name is rarely if ever heard. The suburb lies close to the industrial estates of Sockburn and the satellite retail and residential zone of Hornby...
. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram
Henry Wigram
Sir Henry Francis Wigram was a British-born New Zealand businessman, politician and aviation promoter. He is best known for his role in developing a public transport system in Christchurch and as a key player in the establishment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.-Early life and business:The son...
. Originally home to the RNZAF Central Flying School (CFS), it was decommissioned in 1995 following the CFS' relocation to RNZAF Ohakea
RNZAF Base Ohakea
RNZAF Base Ohakea is an operational base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Opened in 1939, it is near Bulls, 25 km north west of Palmerston North in the Manawatu...
two years earlier.
Wigram Aerodrome maintained its aviation character, with several aviation businesses using its facilities. These included Pionair Private Aircharter, Christchurch Parachute School and Christchurch Flying School.
Three Air Training Corps
New Zealand Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps or ATC is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the New Zealand Cadet Corps and Sea Cadet Corps. It is funded in partnership between the RNZAF and communities, and its members are civilians. Members have no obligation to head into the...
units, and a Cadet Corps
New Zealand Cadet Corps
The New Zealand Cadet Corps , is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the Air Training Corps, and Sea Cadet Corps. There is no reference to the Army within the official title of the NZCC, but an army theme is used for the NZCC. All of its members, from the...
unit also presently occupy buildings within the aerodrome.
Christchurch's Air Force Museum
Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum
The Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum or Air Force Museum of New Zealand as it is now known, is an air force museum located located at Wigram, the RNZAF's first operational base, in Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand...
is located at the northern side of the aerodrome. It houses a large collection of aircraft and interactive displays, and is one of only two such museums in New Zealand.
Wigram Airfield Circuit
Wigram Airfield Circuit
Wigram Airfield Circuit was a temporary motor racing circuit at Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, New Zealand. The airfield is a former base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram. The temporary circuit was 3 km with a 1.3 km main straight...
was a temporary motor racing circuit at the Wigram Airfield. The temporary motor racing circuit was 3 km (1.9 mi) long and considered as the oldest motor race circuit since it had been racing in 1949.
Closure
On the 9th of July 2008 Television 3 NewsTV3 (New Zealand)
TV3 is a New Zealand commercial television network, owned by MediaWorks New Zealand. Launched on 26 November 1989, the first private television network in New Zealand...
broadcast a news item (video) stating that Ngai Tahu
Ngai Tahu
Ngāi Tahu, or Kāi Tahu, is the principal Māori iwi of the southern region of New Zealand, with the tribal authority, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, being based in Christchurch and Invercargill. The iwi combines three groups, Kāi Tahu itself, and Waitaha and Kāti Mamoe who lived in the South Island prior...
, the owners of the aerodrome (acquired as part of a treaty
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
settlement claim) are to close Wigram Aerodrome by February 2009. The airfield is to be developed into housing, whilst the historic control tower and hangars are to remain as they are heritage protected buildings.
Wigram airfield officially ceased operation as an airfield at 00:00 Sunday 1 March 2009 NZ Local time. Runway closure X markers are now in place on the sealed 03/21 and grassed runways. The grass runways 03/21 and 13/31 have posts and wires across them. Cattle are also loose on the former runways. No aircraft can use this airfield anymore. The airspace above is now controlled by Christchurch Tower
On November 4 2011 rumours began that three aircraft (or the substantial remains) were excavated by housing contractors on the former airfeld site, and that private security officers were employed around the area to prevent people getting too close to the site.