HAMILTON to PALMERSTON NORTH (HLZ-PMR) on NZ Beech 1900C operated by Vincent Aviation

Back at the airport and despite having my boarding pass already I head to check in counter, in order to get the code for the lounge door. I notice there are a few tables and chairs for the small café which has very ordinary looking offerings, and due to construction there are no power outlets or even inside toilet (instead a row or portapotties outside ). The lounge is small and has minimal amenities - fridge with 4 different beers and 2 different wines, tea, coffee, juice, chilled water, tv and a newspaper and some magazines. No computer and only 3 power points (2 of which used by tv and photocopier). The one desk is hopeless being full with the photocopier, phone and junk.

About the time I expect boarding I head out to pay the newly introduced departure tax (aka renovation slush fund) – NZ$5 for all passengers A choice of either using kiosk (credit card/ATM card only), or paying in cash at the counter manned by 3 airport employees. Add the other airport employee standing around by the gate scanning the receipts and we have 4 employees for the few daily flights just dealing with this new tax - more of an employment generator funding than for the renovations I reckon There are signs informing that Air NZ has taken the airport to court over legality of the charges and thus be sure to keep your receipt in case it can be refunded (only in person at the airport – fat lot of good that will do for many). The aircraft is late arriving so I wander outside for some fresh air while I wait.

The same aircraft I flew earlier in the day lands, empties and soon boards. The flight is again full. Good to see new services being well patronised. The skies have cleared and we have great views of the Waikato basin and then the hills and mountains of the central North Island. We fly close to Ruapehu, but not quite close enough to see the full crater lake which has been in the news lately for the impending lahar risk as the level nears the top of the soft tephra layer thrown up by the 1995/6 eruptions.

There is quite a contrast in land uses en route, from lush brilliant green farms, to forested slopes and bush/scrub in rugged terrain, to the sparse desert-like vegetation in the acidic soils around the volcanoes, and more bush forest and farms down into the lowlands. As we descend into Palmerston North we see across the ranges dotted with windmills into inland Wairarapa, and before us the floodplains and urban sprawl. When we land it is a busy time with several aircraft of all sizes, including another Freedom Air flight – this time painted in Air NZ colours.