Cross the Strait
Sunday 24th May 2015 1800-2300 NZST / 1600-2100 AEST / 0600-1100 UTC
Cook Strait is the strait of water between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It connects the Tasman Sea on the west with the South Pacific Ocean on the east.
To the south the coast runs runs 30 kilometres (19 mi) along Cloudy Bay and past the islands and entrances to the Marlborough Sounds. To the north the coast runs 40 kilometres (25 mi) along Palliser Bay, crosses the entrance to Wellington harbour, past some Wellington suburbs and continues another 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to Makara beach.
The strait is named after James Cook, the first European commander to sail through it, in 1770. In MÄori it has the name Raukawa or Raukawa Moana. Raukawa may mean "bitter leaves".
Cook Strait is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world. In good weather one can see clearly across the strait. At its narrowest point 22 kilometres (14 mi) separate Cape Terawhiti in the North Island from Perano Head on Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds. Perano Head (South Island) actually lies further north than Cape Terawhiti (North Island).
Due to the inclement weather, many travellers between the islands choose to fly and of course it's way more inconvenient and WAY more fun!
On Sunday 24 May 2015, VATNZ Sunday Night Ops focuses on getting as many travellers as possible between the two Islands by connecting Wellington (NZWN) and Paraparaumu (NZPP) with Picton (NZPN), Woodbourne (NZWB) and Nelson (NZNS) by flying across Cook Strait for four hours!
Routes
NSPP 2 - NS Q152 AVKEX Q388 PP
NSWN 2 -NS H267 WN
NSWB 3 - NS H133 WB
WBNS - WB H267 NS
WBPP 1 - WB Q287 AVPOD Q294 AVKEX Q388 PP
WBWN 2 - WN RWY 16 — Wellington WB4B Arrival
WBWN 2 - WN RWY 34 — Wellington WB5A Arrival
WNNS 3 - RWY 16 — WN H133 NS
WNNS 3 - RWY 34 — WN Q235 NS
WNWB 1 - RWY 16 — WN H133 WB
WNWB 1 - RWY 34 — WN Q235 BAXOV Q287 WB
Bookings
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For more information, including airport charts and position details, check out the event page.