New Zealand aviation history - 8th Jun 2017

In 1940, Air New Zealand route mileage was 1343 (Auckland-Sydney) and the first year's passengers totalled 1461. Thirty years later in 1970, the route mileage was 42,659 and passengers were nearing the 300,000 mark. 

That first scheduled flight was by S30 Empire Class flying-boat from Auckland's Waitemata Harbour to Sydney's Rose Bay and took nine hours. The flying-boat was called "Aotearoa" and, although a commercial flight, could only accommodate 19 passengers. 

All this fascinating information, and much much more, can be found in a book called
Air New Zealand's First 30 Years: Tiga Puloh Tauri which was published in 1970 to mark Air New Zealand's 30th anniversary.

A small oblong quarto volume of blue heavy card boards with turquoise, white & gilt lettering to the front board, it is thoroughly illustrated, packed with information, and very difficult to get hold of.