On the fence about new garden ornament

A South Aucklander has taken his love for planes to new heights after craning an old Air New Zealand passenger plane into the backyard of his Totara Heights home.

The near 40m-long aircraft, with its blue and green Air New Zealand striped sticker still visible, turned nearly all the neighbours’ heads on Friday morning when it was lowered into the backyard of the residential property.

Neighbour Jrania Kao — who moved into her newly built home with her family less than six months ago — had front rows seats.

At a glance the plane appeared to be balancing on top of her fence.

Despite obstructing her view, Kao said it was the neighbour’s choice and it didn’t bother her.

“They probably didn’t want to have to look at our ugly garden which is fair enough.”

Totara Heights resident Jill Bloxom said she saw the plane being craned into the property from her place a few houses down.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I was quite surprised they were allowed to put it out there.”

Auckland Council was not aware of the plane being craned in and said it would visit the site.

The Herald on Sunday approached the owner of the plane but he did not wish to comment.

The plane was a Embraer Bandeirante, Portuguese for pioneer, and was flown by Eagle Air/Air New Zealand Link from October 1988 until the type was retired by the airline around 2001,

editor John King said.

“I’m not sure where it’s been sitting for the past 15-plus years, but its condition indicates it hasn’t been outside.”

Air New Zealand referred all inquiries about the acquisition of the plane to the owner.