Ardmore Airport (New Zealand) Ardmore Airport (New Zealand) Ardmore Airport is an airport 3 NM (5.5 km) southeast of Manurewa in Auckland, New Zealand. Ardmore was constructed during World War II by USAAF forces stationed in Auckland, and was intended to be used as a base for B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. Due to developments in the Pacific War it was never used for this purpose; but was instead was used by the RNZAF, who operated Corsair fighters. RNZAF Auckland operations were consolidated at Whenuapai after the end of World War II. From the post-war years until the mid-1970s the grounds were home to a
Hamilton Airport (New Zealand) to blossom soon after the war was over, and, in 1950, the airport received its first commercial flight. The main runway was sealed in 1965, and turboprop flights began to Hamilton that year, with NAC's Fokker Friendship aircraft operating. The runway was further lengthened to accommodate Vickers Viscount, 1970, and ultimately Boeing 737 aircraft types in 1975. In 1989, the New Zealand government sold the airport to councils representing Hamilton city (50 per cent), Waikato district (15.625 per cent), Waipa district (15.625 per cent), Matamata-Piako district (15.625 per cent) and Otorohonga district (3.125 per cent). This development led to unprecedented