Air Auckland
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA New Zealand regional and charter airline formerly known as Flight Hauraki.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Air Auckland was a small regional airline associated with Auckland, New Zealand. It operated as Flight Hauraki before adopting the Air Auckland name in 2018. The business was founded on 17 March 2008 as Flight Hauraki Limited and began flying in 2010. It was established as an associate company of MDR Aviation Limited, an aviation business involved in aircraft leasing and imports. Its initial operations were based at North Shore Aerodrome, where it used the Salt Air terminal to provide charter and sightseeing services with small Cessna aircraft. The airline developed by taking over selected operations from other local aviation providers. In March 2012 it assumed management of Air Discovery’s Waiheke Island services to Auckland Airport, together with that company’s sightseeing activities and Great Barrier Island–Auckland flights. Later in 2012, Flight Hauraki also took over Salt Air’s Kerikeri and Whangārei service to North Shore Airport. This route incorporated a ground connection using Auckland’s Northern Busway, intended to move passengers toward the city centre while avoiding road congestion. The service attracted limited demand and was withdrawn in February 2013 after fewer than three months. In 2014 the airline reorganised its operating footprint. Waiheke Island became its principal base, while Ardmore became a satellite base. From Ardmore, the company introduced an Island Hopper service with two scheduled return flights each day linking Ardmore, Waiheke Island, and Great Barrier Island. It also operated frequent unscheduled or demand-responsive flights to Waiheke Island, with aircraft positioned at both locations. Its broader service portfolio included regional passenger flights, charter work, sightseeing, and flights arranged on demand. Destinations and service points associated with the airline included Ardmore, North Shore Airport, Great Barrier Island’s Claris and Okiwi areas, Waiheke Island, Whitianga, Coromandel, Pauanui, and Taupō, as well as other locations across New Zealand’s North Island when arranged. Founder Paul McSherry sold the company to New Zealand Aviation Group Limited in 2015. Following the transaction, the business placed greater emphasis on tourism-related operations. The company was renamed Air Auckland in 2018, linking its public identity more directly to the Auckland region while retaining its focus on short-haul island, regional, charter, and sightseeing flying. The available reference material identifies it as a fixed-wing operator holding approval under New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Part 135 requirements. The fleet described in the reference consists of two Cessna 172 aircraft and one Cessna 206. The available sources do not establish a definitive current operating status, cessation date, route schedule, or ownership structure beyond the reported 2015 acquisition.
History
Flight Hauraki Limited was founded on 17 March 2008 as an associate company of MDR Aviation Limited, which specialized in aircraft leasing and imports. The airline entered operations in 2010 from the Salt Air terminal at North Shore Aerodrome. Its early activities consisted of charter and sightseeing flights operated with two Cessna 172s and one Cessna 207 owned by MDR Aviation. The business expanded through the assumption of existing local aviation activities. In March 2012, it took over management of Air Discovery's Waiheke Island services to Auckland Airport, together with the associated sightseeing operation and flights from Great Barrier Island to Auckland. Later in 2012, it took over Salt Air's Kerikeri and Whangārei service to North Shore Airport. The latter operation used the Northern Busway as part of its passenger connection to central Auckland, but demand was insufficient and the service ended in February 2013. In 2014, Flight Hauraki moved its main base to Waiheke Island and retained Ardmore as a satellite base. From Ardmore it launched the Island Hopper service, with two return flights each day connecting Ardmore, Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island. The company also offered unscheduled flights to Waiheke Island in response to demand, with aircraft based at both operating locations. Its destinations and potential service area included Ardmore, North Shore Airport, Great Barrier Island, Claris, Okiwi, Whitianga, Coromandel, Pauanui and Taupō, in addition to other North Island destinations available on demand. In 2015, founder Paul McSherry sold the company to New Zealand Aviation Group Limited. The new ownership gave greater priority to tourism operations. In 2018, the company was renamed Air Auckland. The available reference material does not provide enough information to determine the airline's subsequent route network, fleet changes, current ownership, financial position, or present operating status.
- 2018
Rebranded as Air Auckland
[1]The airline changed its name from Flight Hauraki to Air Auckland.
- 2015
Ownership transferred
[1]Paul McSherry sold the company to New Zealand Aviation Group Limited.
- 2014
Base structure reorganized
[1]Waiheke Island became the main base and Ardmore became a satellite base; the Island Hopper service was introduced.
- 2013
Xpress service discontinued
[1]The Northland-to-North Shore service was cut in February after failing to gain sufficient popularity.
- 2012
Air Discovery activities taken over
[1]Flight Hauraki assumed management of Air Discovery's Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island and sightseeing services.
- 2012
Northland Xpress service launched
[1]The company took over the Kerikeri and Whangārei to North Shore service previously associated with Salt Air.
- 2010
Operations begin
[1]The airline began charter and sightseeing operations from North Shore Aerodrome using Cessna aircraft.
- 2008
Flight Hauraki Limited founded
[1]Flight Hauraki Limited was established on 17 March as an associate company of MDR Aviation Limited.
Products and positioning
A small, flexible New Zealand regional airline focused on island connectivity, short-haul charter flying, sightseeing, and tourism services.
Scheduled air service
Regional passenger flights
Short-haul passenger services connecting Auckland-area airports and island communities. Reported routes included Waiheke Island to Auckland Airport, Great Barrier Island to Auckland, and services involving Ardmore and North Shore Airport.
Regional air service · 2014
Island Hopper
A service introduced after the 2014 base reorganization, offering two return flights per day from Ardmore to Waiheke Island and onward to Great Barrier Island. It was designed around short-distance island connectivity and tourism travel.
Charter and tourism aviation · 2010
Charter and sightseeing flights
The airline's initial operating focus consisted of charter and sightseeing flights. These services used small fixed-wing aircraft and could support scenic tourism and demand-led travel rather than relying exclusively on fixed schedules.
On-demand air service
On-demand North Island flights
Flight Hauraki offered unscheduled flights to Waiheke Island and reported the ability to serve destinations elsewhere on New Zealand's North Island, including Whitianga, Coromandel, Pauanui and Taupō, subject to demand and operating arrangements.
Brand decisions
2018
Rebrand from Flight Hauraki to Air AucklandOtherBackground
After the ownership change and increased tourism focus, the company adopted a new airline identity.
Action taken
Flight Hauraki was renamed Air Auckland.
Aftermath
The Air Auckland name became the identity used by the canonical Wikipedia subject. Later operational developments are not established by the supplied sources.
2015
Sale to New Zealand Aviation Group LimitedM&ABackground
Founder Paul McSherry transferred ownership of the airline.
Action taken
New Zealand Aviation Group Limited acquired the company and placed a stronger focus on tourism operations.
Aftermath
The airline continued operating under the Flight Hauraki name until its 2018 rebranding as Air Auckland.
2014
Rebase operations around Waiheke Island and ArdmoreStrategyBackground
The airline sought to organize its small-aircraft operation around Auckland-area island connectivity.
Action taken
Waiheke Island became the main base, Ardmore became a satellite base, and the Island Hopper service was introduced.
Aftermath
The operating model placed greater emphasis on island travel, flexible scheduling and tourism services.
2013
Withdraw the Northland Xpress serviceStrategyBackground
The Kerikeri and Whangārei to North Shore operation did not attract sufficient popularity during its short period of operation.
Action taken
Flight Hauraki discontinued the service in February 2013, less than three months after it began.
Aftermath
The airline continued concentrating on island, charter, sightseeing and tourism-related operations.
Sources1 sources
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