Hundreds of people are reminiscing after the 75th and final reunion of the National Airways Corporation in Mount Maunganui.

Taking place at Classic Flyers, the event was designed to remember and celebrate the national, Government-led airline, which ran from 1947 to 1978 when it amalgamated with Air New Zealand.

Former longest serving air hostess in New Zealand, Shirley Neale, says she began working for the National Airways Corporation (NAC) on August 27, 1964, and left what became Air New Zealand in 2014.

'I stuck at it for so long because I loved the challenge it provided. I also loved looking after people. Back in those days, you would talk to every passenger and if someone looked a bit unwell and weren't touching their food, you'd make sure they were okay,” says Shirley.

Former National Airways Corporation air hostesses Yvonne Landrum, left, Shirley Neale, and Jill Little. Photo: Taylor Rice/SunLive.

Serving for 50 years, Shirley became familiar with frequent flyers and served many important personalities in first class, such as multiple prime ministers, royals and US presidents.

She says prior to the move to Air New Zealand, air hostesses would 'get up at about 4.30am” and get ready, and prepare for what sometimes could be a '13 legged trip” around the country, which could last up to 13 hours.

Shirley adds her favourite time was going overseas after the airline became Air New Zealand and travelled internationally.

'I spent time in many American states and London, often in those days there wasn't as many flights so you'd end up staying in each location for about five days.”

Another former air hostess, Yvonne Landrum, who began working for the NAC in 1977, says it was the 'absolute peak of aviation”.

'I was a school teacher, and thought I'd spend a few years as an air hostess. Over 20 years later, teaching didn't get a second look,” says Yvonne.

'You have to be a real people person to work as an air hostess, and that's one thing we all have in common, it was an amazing time.”

Former NAC pilot Gerald Grocott says the main difference between piloting now and in the 70's was the more relaxed rules.

Former National Airways Corporation pilot Gerald Grocott, left, with former air hostess Anne Grieve and former pilot Brian Horne. Photo: Taylor Rice/SunLive.

'It was fun back then, there was much less regulation and playing by the book,” says Gerald.

'A few years after the NAC became Air New Zealand I went overseas to Europe to fly, which was much more complicated. There was much more severe weather, and a lot more air traffic compared to New Zealand back then.”

Anne Grieve also worked for the NAC for 'about two and a half years” after beginning in 1958.

She says it was 'incredibly special” to have an air hostess job in New Zealand at the time, as there were only 'about 50 air hostesses in the country”.

'A big part of the fun was getting dressed up and caring for people. Back in those days, we had to talk to every single passenger. We also weren't allowed to stay as air hostesses if we were married.”

Anne says two of her most special customers to serve on a flight was Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll, and the Vienna Boys Choir.

'The Vienna Boys Choir were quite mischievous, they turned all the pamphlets we gave out into paper planes!”

A former computer programmer for the NAC, John King, says the Government owned operation had an incredible amount of loyal staff.

'The NAC was a very interesting company. Even though it was Government owned, the staff was intensely loyal.”

He says the CEO, Doug Patterson, helped the staff have great relationships.

John says he first began working for the NAC in the 60s, where they later offered him a job in mainframe programming, which was the main form of programming at the time.

Attendee Alex Holmes and former NAC air hostess Jackie Fraser dressed up for the occasion in the original 1970 uniform.

Photo: Taylor Rice/SunLive.

Jackie says she decided to dress up because it's the last time a reunion is happening for the NAC, and it is 'incredibly special” to even have access to the uniform.

'Most of them were taken away or sent to museums. The only reason we have these today is because a few air hostesses were naughty back in the day and kept some uniforms!”

Jackie feels the biggest difference in being an air hostess now compared to back then is the equality measures put in place for women.

'Back then you had to be a lady. You were recommended to leave if you got married, and it was a lot more strict back then with makeup, hair and weight.”

Another attendee, who asked to remain anonymous, says the reason this will be the last NAC reunion is 'we are all getting on” and it is becoming increasingly harder to get everyone together.