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
Admiralty Bay (New Zealand) to the waters of Cook Strait, but to the west a narrow and treacherous stretch of water French Pass is the only maritime access. The Bay was named in March 1770 by Lieutenant James Cook during his first voyage to the Pacific. Having completed a circumnavigation of New Zealand aboard "HMS Endeavour", Cook had the ship anchored in the bay for resupply with wood and water, and remained there from 27–31 March 1770. Cook described the land surrounding the bay as "of a very hilly uneven surface and appears to be mostly covered with wood, shrubs, firns & c. which