Barrier Air story well told by chef executive

Barrier Air CEO Nick Pearson travelled from his home on Great Barrier Island to address the Kaitaia Friendship Club last month, beginning with how the airline was launched in 1983, when old war planes were used to carry freight and mail to the island. Over time passengers were added, until there were more passengers than freight.

The airline’s owners changed over time too, the current owners buying it in 2014, and taking over the Kaitaia-Auckland service when Air New Zealand withdrew.

Mr Pearson also gave a brief outline of his own life. His father was in the Air Force, and he began his schooling in Germany, returning to New Zealand in 1988. While attending Nelson Boys’ College he began flying at the Nelson Aero club, and was awarded a scholarship that enabled him to acquire a private pilot’s licence.

He joined the Air Force before moving to Hawke’s Bay with his wife, and later worked for Air Hawke’s Bay. He joined Barrier Air in 2015 as team leader of baggage handlers, later flying for the airline and then being made CEO.

Barrier Air’s future was looking good, he added. A second new aircraft had arrived a few weeks earlier, fares between Kaitaia and Auckland were “better” than they had been, and he hoped to see two return flights daily restored.

Barrier Air was in Kaitaia for the long haul, he said.

Meanwhile club member Lorraine Cameron was the day’s first speaker, explaining the website she had set up for the club, while Peter Kitchen was the third, on the subject of this Saturday’s Te Houtaewa Challenge, the event’s history and the legend that inspired it.

The speakers for the next meeting (on Tuesday at Far North REAP) will be from the Salvation Army and a traveller.

For further information about the club, speakers or visits, phone Peter on (09) 406-0835 or David on (09) 408-0999.