The Tauranga City Airshow may be filled with action in the sky – but it also has plenty of interesting activities on the ground.
With more than 150 trade stalls and exhibits featuring everything from wartime memorabilia and World War Two campsites to temporary tattoos, jewellery stores and model aircraft and toys, people are spoilt for choice.
Military re-enactors Chris Bass and Dave Thorn about to participate in the World War II mock attack.
Mike Jefferies, owner of Big Smoke BBQ Company in Mount Maunganui, is enjoying the event despite having to spend the day cooking chicken, steaks and sausages next to the heat of a two and a half tonne cooker.
“Its pretty warm. I am enjoying the planes though, that is part of the reason I signed up to do the event.”
Mike says a steady stream of people have been coming through the day, with the most popular dishes being the Pit Roasted Chicken and steak sandwich.
“Everyone enjoys a barbeque, so it has been really good.”
At the exhibit stalls Brian Murphy is manning the new $140,000 Gyrate gyro plane, Cavalon, the only one of its kind in New Zealand.
“It arrived two weeks ago from Germany, it is the only one of its kind in the country.
Brian says this particular display aircraft is unique as it is a two seater.
“This one is very unusual, it has a rotax engine but a different configuration from the normal gyros.
“It is used as a pleasure craft, but people have used it for photography and for spraying crops in Spain.”
Brian Murphy with the Cavalon gyro plane.
In amongst the display area is a replica World War Two campsite equipped with more than 30 actors ready to storm the runway in a mock attack as part of the afternoon’s activities.
Military re-enactor Dave Thorn says a majority of the weaponary, equipment and clothing they use is original.
“Most of it is original gear. A lot was used by the Armed Forces of New Zealand and the United States were based here, and left a lot of gear behind.”
Dave regularly performs re-enactments events including at the Armistace and the Omaka Airshow and says events like this are an important vehicle for educating the public on wartime history.
“I think it does give the public a sense of what it was like for the average solider in those days, some people have little idea about what went on.”
Amongst the crowds of people, Mount Maunganui residents Craig and Anna Keenan were enjoying the day’s demonstrations with their children Cooper, 8, Cash, 6, and Cove, 4.
This is the first airshow the family have attended and Craig says they are enjoying the low level flying displays.
"Its been great, something to do on a Saturday."
Photos by Daniel Hines.
Water zorbing is just one of the many activities at the Tauranga City Airshow.
It was a busy time for the Big Smoke BBQ Company.
More than 10,000 people are estimated to have turned out to enjoy the airshow.
Ross from Elite Limousines shows off one of the many vehicles on display at the airshow.
Craig and Anna Keenan with sons Cove, 4, Cooper, 8, and Cash, 6, enjoy the sun and entertainment at the Tauranga City Airshow.