Mechanics Bay landed in Mechanics Bay, which was the centre of international aviation for New Zealand until the 1950s. Even after the construction of Auckland International Airport at Mangere in the 1960s, Mechanics Bay was still used by flying boats to the Pacific Islands, e.g. for the "Coral Route" to Fiji. From 1962 to 1989, Mechanics Bay was home to first Tourist Air Travel, then Mount Cook Airline then Sea Bee Air operating a fleet of Grumman Goose, Grumman Widgeon and Grumman Turbo Goose amphibian aircraft for regular scheduled passenger and freight services to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf (particularly Great
Admiralty Bay (New Zealand) renders traveling both difficult and fatigueing." There was no evidence of present habitation, but Cook found several huts which seemed to have been long deserted. It was while "Endeavour" was anchored in Admiralty Bay that Cook decided to continue exploring westward rather than returning east to England; a consequence of this decision would be his discovery of Australia. Admiralty Bay is now closely associated with Pelorus Jack, a dolphin which became widely known in New Zealand in the first few years of the 20th century. Pelorus Jack was noted for meeting and escorting ships through French Pass, and is possibly